บท 167: The Queen's Mentor

Aurelia took a step closer to me, her gaze locked on mine as she spoke. "Tell me, Draven… do you perhaps recognize this name: Dravis Granger?"

I didn't flinch. My expression remained as cold and impassive as ever, a mask I had perfected over the years. It wasn't the first time I'd heard that name, nor was it the first time someone had tried to connect the dots. The Queen, in her sharp and unpredictable way, was fishing for something—something she had hinted at before. I recalled the conversation we had shared after our return from the elven world, where she had alluded to having an idea about who I really was. It seemed she had finally decided to confront that suspicion directly.

There was no harm in the Queen knowing the truth, but that didn't mean I had to confirm it. Nor did I have any intention of denying it outright. Some things were better left shrouded in ambiguity, and I had no desire to give away more than was necessary.