Jasmine's POV
The words hit me like a physical blow to my chest.
"The King is dying."
The Queen's voice echoed in my mind, each syllable cutting deeper than the last. My breath stopped completely. This wasn't just Jayden's father we were talking about. This was my father too.
A tear escaped before I could stop it, then another, until I was sobbing uncontrollably. My whole body trembled as the crushing weight of guilt consumed me from the inside out.
The Queen's hand found my shoulder, her voice gentle as she tried to soothe me, but nothing could penetrate the storm raging inside my chest.
"This is all my fault," I choked out, the words scraping against my raw throat. "I did this to him. I'm the reason he's going to die."
"No, Jasmine." The Queen's voice was firm, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "You cannot blame yourself for this."
