Should he tell the truth?
Arthur's mind ran through it in fragments too fast to hold onto any single one.
If I say it's another soul sharing my body, they lock me up as something unnatural. If I say nothing, the King reads silence as guilt. If I lie badly, Roz's face gives it away before I finish the sentence.
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
"Your Majesty—" he started, then stopped himself again, the words dying before they found a shape he could commit to.
The King's eyes narrowed further. "You hesitate."
"I'm choosing my words carefully. This concerns something no one in this room has context for."
"Then give us context." The King's voice sharpened. "Or I will assume the worst and act accordingly."
Solenne stepped forward again. "Your Majesty, if I may—"
"SILENCE."
The word cracked through the throne room like something physical. Solenne's mouth shut, jaw tight, hands curling at her sides, and she didn't try again.
Arthur had nothing left to hide behind.
