章 403: I am Loyal!

In a quiet corner of the cafe, at a table set apart from the rest...

Penelope sat across from Aether. She silently slid a document across the table toward him, her face unreadable.

Aether frowned as he picked up the paper, confusion clouding his expression, "Infertile? What are you saying?" His voice wavered as he stared at the words, trying to process them. He began reading the document slowly, his fingers trembling ever so slightly.

Penelope, her face cold and indifferent, watched him. But her eyes... her eyes held something almost like pity as she saw the realization begin to dawn on him.

When he finally finished reading, Aether's face went pale. "T-This is..." His voice faltered. The words stuck in his throat as he looked up at her, shock etched across his features.

Penelope said nothing. She simply waited, giving him the space to digest the reality of the situation.