Eve's mouth opened, but no words came out as his statement sank in. "You… you what?" she finally managed to whisper.
"I called it off," Damian repeated in a calm tone, his silver eyes fixed on her. "Selene and I are no longer engaged. I made it very clear to my father that I won't marry her."
Evelina's breath hitched, her lips parting in disbelief. "You can't just… call off an engagement like that," she said, shaking her head. "What about the alliances? The kingdom?"
Damian stepped closer, bridging the space between them. "The kingdom will survive," he said firmly. "Marriages built on manipulation and lies are not the foundation of a strong rule. I won't let anyone—including my father—force me into a life I don't want."
Relia's voice returned, full of playful smugness. "Oh, this life he doesn't want? It has Selene written all over it. Translation: he's choosing us, Eve."
Evelina's jaw clenched.
