Auric's face went pale as Gu Jin's words sliced through her last fragments of composure.
She clutched at her wig, hands shaking, realizing with horror just how exposed she was.
Her voice, once strong with defiance, now barely managed a whisper,
"You… you knew? All along?"
Gu Jin raised a brow, her smile laced with quiet amusement.
"Did you think a cheap disguise and some smoke could fool me?" Her gaze shifted to the wig and colored lenses.
"It's a rather valiant attempt, I'll give you that, but I don't need my eyes to see through deception."
Auric backed up slowly, her movements stilted, watching Gu Jin like a cornered animal.
"You think you're so clever, don't you?"
Her voice shook, yet there was a desperate edge to it as if hoping to regain some footing.
"You may have won the crowd today, but they'll turn on you the moment they see you for the fraud you are!"