"What is it? Tell me?"
Emery leaned slightly forward as he spoke, his tone calm but attentive, yet the moment he saw Tessa's expression falter—her usual composure giving way to hesitation—his thoughts began to drift. Whatever she intended to say carried weight, perhaps even something personal.
"I am going to ask it directly then…"
Tessa drew in a slow breath, as though steadying herself against something she had already rehearsed countless times.
"What do you think about a second marriage…."
"...."
For a brief moment, Emery simply stared at her, caught completely off guard.
Of all the possibilities he had considered, this had not even crossed his mind. He had expected complications—financial strain, political tension, perhaps new pressure from the Magus Alliance—but certainly not this.
Silence settled between them, thick and awkward.
