Evelyn smiled at her reaction. "I flew to Grayenfall with Axel immediately. That’s where I met him."
"Him?" Stella echoed.
"Finley Morgan," Evelyn said. "You already know he is my uncle, right? And his father, Theodor Morgan, is my grandmother’s twin sister."
Stella leaned back into the sofa as if she’d been hit by an invisible force.
"Unbelievable, sis... Your mother came from that family? The Morgan family... The ’royalty of the military and political world’ Morgans!"
Evelyn chuckled softly. "Yes. Believe me, I made the same face when I found out."
Alicia shook her head slowly, still trying to process it. "All these years... Madison’s roots were right there... and we never knew."
Stella suddenly straightened, her hands clasped excitedly,
"Sis. First, you marry a Knight. Now you’re a Morgan by blood. What’s next? Are you secretly the lost heir to a secret throne?"
Evelyn laughed, covering her mouth. "If that happens, I’ll let you be my royal advisor."
"I accept the position," Stella declared immediately.
Even Alicia chuckled, shaking her head fondly.
But then Evelyn’s smile softened. Her eyes dimmed just slightly.
"When I had my accident," she said quietly, "I had just visited their house. That’s why I don’t have time to tell you about this."
The laughter faded instantly.
Alicia’s expression softened. Stella reached for Evelyn’s hand.
Evelyn didn’t cry. She didn’t break. But the memory of trembling metal, shattered glass, and the loss that followed flickered briefly in her eyes.
"I wanted to tell you both after I recovered more," Evelyn said. "I didn’t want you to worry."
Stella swallowed. Then, with deliberate force, she snapped her fingers. "Alright. Enough. No sad air allowed."
Alicia nodded firmly. "She’s right. That part is over. You’re here. You’re healing. And you have a family that just doubled overnight."
Stella leaned closer, grinning. "And now I can proudly tell people my sister is a Knight, married into royalty, and born from royalty. I will never shut up about this."
Evelyn rolled her eyes fondly. "Please don’t start introducing me like I’m a museum exhibit."
"No promises," Stella whispered mischievously.
Alicia smiled, warm and steady. "No matter what bloodline you come from, Evelyn, you will always be my daughter."
Evelyn’s throat tightened slightly. She smiled at her, feeling her heart warm. "Thank you, Alice...Mom."
They keep talking, but this time it’s just Stella and Evelyn in the living room, since Alicia left to look for Oliver.
Stella tilted her head when she saw Evelyn stifle another yawn.
"Sis, are you sleepy?" she asked, though the answer was obvious. "Come on. Let me walk you to your bedroom before you collapse, and my brother-in-law will scold me."
Evelyn waved a hand dismissively.
"No, Stella. I cannot sleep right now. I need to be present before they leave." Her eyes flicked toward Axel’s home office down the hall.
Evelyn did not say it aloud, but worry sat quietly in her chest. Axel and the others had been inside that room for over an hour.
"Geez. You are so stubborn," Stella muttered, leaning back on the sofa. "They will understand if you rest. You are not fully healed."
Evelyn turned back to her with a soft smile. "Stop worrying about me. I am fine." Smoothly, she changed the conversation. "Alright. Now tell me about you."
Stella feels as if her soul left her body for a brief moment. ’Not YET dating? Not YET?’
She silently prayed that Evelyn had not heard that particular phrase.
But when she looked up, Evelyn was smiling. Not teasing. Not mocking. Just a knowing, warm smile. The kind that said, "I heard everything..."
Evelyn reached out and patted Stella’s shoulder gently. "Yet!?" she repeated softly. "That means it’s not a no, but it is something that is still in progress. Right, sis?"
Stella opened her mouth, then closed it again. No words were safe in this conversation.
Evelyn leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing sacred wisdom. "Little sis, do not wait too long. He is no longer as young as you."
Stella stared at her in disbelief.
"He is thirty-seven," Stella deadpanned. "Not a retired man with a grandson."
Evelyn laughed quietly. "Still. Opportunity does not wait forever."
’Heaven,’ Stella thought. ’My silly sister turns every sentence into prophecy.’
She was preparing a passionate rebuttal when the door of Axel’s office finally opened.
Finley stepped out first, looking composed as always. Theodor followed, thoughtful. And Nicholas walked last, his cane tapping softly against the floor.
Axel came out behind them, one hand still on the doorframe, his expression calm but decisive.
Stella exhaled in relief. Saved by the elders.
’Heaven, thank you,’ she prayed silently.
She quickly stood and offered Evelyn her hand. "Come. They are about to leave."

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