The atmosphere was thick with tension as Desina, newly freed from the confines of the mirror, expressed her gratitude to the queen mother. Tears welled in Desina's eyes as she embraced the queen mother tightly, her heart overflowing with relief and thankfulness.
"Queen mother, thank you so much for bringing me out of that mirror," Desina whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I can't show you how grateful I am."
The queen mother, her expression unreadable, gently pushed Desina away, creating a distance between them. Though Desina sought solace in another embrace, the queen mother's reluctance was palpable.
"It's okay, dear," the queen mother replied, her tone distant, her mind preoccupied with her own hidden agenda.
Desina, sensing the queen mother's detachment, questioned her, con
