Not all betrayals came with weapons.
Some came quietly.
Carefully.
From the people you trusted the most.
Selene noticed the change in Elira before anything was said.
It was small.
A hesitation in her voice.
A pause where there shouldn't have been one.
"You're hiding something," Selene said calmly.
Elira froze.
For a moment, she didn't respond.
That was answer enough.
Selene stepped closer, her gaze steady—not accusing, not angry.
Waiting.
"Tell me," she said softly.
Elira exhaled slowly, her composure slipping just slightly.
"There's been contact," she admitted.
Selene didn't react outwardly.
"From who?"
Elira hesitated again.
Then—
"Your homeland."
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Selene's expression didn't change.
But something inside her… settled.
"They've sent word," Elira continued, her voice strained. "They want you to step down."
A pause.
"Before war begins."
Selene turned away slowly, her gaze drifting toward the window.
The same city.
The same empire.
But now—
The truth felt different.
"They think I'll choose them," she said quietly.
Elira stepped forward. "They're trying to protect you."
Selene let out a soft breath.
"No," she said.
"They're trying to control the outcome."
She turned back, her eyes clearer now.
"If I step down, what happens?"
Elira swallowed. "They'll replace you. Stabilize the alliance. Avoid war."
Selene nodded slowly.
"And Varyon?"
Elira didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Selene already knew.
It would fall.
Or weaken.
Or become something easily controlled again.
Selene's gaze hardened—not with anger, but with finality.
"They made their choice when they sent me here," she said.
A pause.
"They don't get to make another one."
Elira's voice softened. "They're still your family."
Selene's lips curved faintly.
Not warm.
Not kind.
Just certain.
"They were," she said
Silence followed.
Then Selene stepped closer, placing a hand lightly on Elira's shoulder.
"I don't need loyalty from where I came from," she said.
Her voice dropped slightly.
"I need it from where I stand."
Elira met her gaze.
And this time—
There was no hesitation.
"You have it," she said.
Selene nodded once.
Because that was enough.
Not everything needed to be saved.
Some things needed to be left behind.