Catherine tried to focus on the conversation as Maximilian and Alexander questioned Charlotte, but the words drifted in and out of her ears as if carried away by the wind. The sunlight felt strangely harsh against her eyes.
Her head swam.
She didn't know if it was the heat or the weight of everything she had just heard, but the dizziness returned, stronger this time. Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she took a step back, trying to steady herself against the rising wave of nausea.
Their voices blurred together. She could vaguely hear them threatening Charlotte, demanding answers.
"It was my father!" Charlotte finally shouted, her voice cracking. "When Maximilian gave me his seal, my father made a duplicate. He's been using that seal ever since. I only found out after Katerina's son died!"
"Who else are you going to blame?" Catherine asked faintly, though her voice carried a cold disbelief.
