Jasmine's POV
The moment I parted my lips to respond, Sylvia dropped her fork onto the porcelain plate with a sharp clatter that seemed to pierce through the dining room's peaceful atmosphere. I froze mid-breath. Her smile stretched across her face like pulled silk, beautiful but cold as winter, while she addressed the king directly.
"Your Majesty," she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "is it truly essential to present them to the entire kingdom as your grandchildren?"
Ice flooded my veins.
Sylvia maintained that perfect smile, but venom leaked through her honeyed words. "After all, Norton has never received such formal recognition as your grandson. His recent birthday was merely a quiet celebration with household staff and immediate family. No elaborate festivities, no public acknowledgment, yet here we are planning this massive event for them?"
She angled her head toward me with practiced grace, her tone wrapped in mock deference.
