"We have waited generations for you, Empress Halrad."
The sincerity in his voice as he addressed her in a strange way answered her previous question.
This wasn't fake.
If the Halrad reference hadn't convinced her, the ends of blonde curls peeking out from underneath the man's veil certainly did.
Kel nearly let out a gasp as she caught a glimpse of the hair. In her entire life, she'd never heard of another person aside from her and Adriell with the same golden locks.
Yet, here was this man, dancing calmly with her, making only a small effort to conceal his hair.
'Why-'
In her bewilderment, Kel had almost slipped into a flurry of questions.
But she couldn't lose her composure.
Not now.
"I am only the Empress Consort, Sir," Kel responded, holding her head a little higher, "and my name is not Halrad."
