I froze in shock, my eyes fixed on Hadrian as his words echoed in my mind, struggling to grasp their meaning. It seemed I was the only one grappling with this revelation; everyone else instantly lowered their heads in deference.

“What?” I whispered to him, my voice trembling.

“You heard me,” he replied, a sly smirk playing on his lips.

“I don’t even know what that means,” I murmured, my confusion slipping into frustration.

“Don’t worry,” he said reassuringly, brushing ...