#Chapter 165: Confession and Terms

The conference room smelled like ink, recycled air, and stress. There were no cameras, no press, just Richard seated across the table from a legal adviser and a document technician, with a statement template pulled up on a shared screen. I watched from one corner, silent but alert. This wasn’t for the public, at least not yet. It was a legal contingency, a sealed affidavit, timestamped, verified, and locked unless a formal inquiry or court case required its release. The lawyer adjusted his glasses and nodded. "Whenever you're ready, Your Majesty. We'll begin with your name, title, and a full declarative record." Richard cleared his throat. “Richard, current Alpha King. This is my voluntary statement regarding the timeline and rationale for my silence about Amelia’s maternal lineage. I am fully aware this document may be entered into formal record should proceedings demand it, and I do not contest its preservation.” The technician typed as he spoke, every word mirrored on the scre