The room did not feel the same anymore.
Not after the truth.
Not after the words that had just been spoken.
---
Tracy stood still.
Completely still.
---
A Siren.
A princess.
---
The words echoed in her mind like waves that refused to settle.
---
Her chest rose slowly, unevenly.
She wasn’t panicking.
Not exactly.
---
But something inside her had shifted.
Permanently.
---
Konin stood beside her, watching closely.
He didn’t speak.
Didn’t interrupt.
---
Because he could see it—
She was trying to hold everything together.
---
Across from them, the old woman’s breathing had grown slower.
Weaker.
But her eyes never left Tracy.
---
“There’s not much time,” she said softly.
---
The young caretaker adjusted her gently, concern visible on her face.
“You shouldn’t stre
