The castle of Solistra was cold. Not from wind or winter, but from time itself. Everything felt… stuck. Like the world was holding its breath. Harvie walked beside Edna through the long, silver halls. The guards didn't speak. The nobles didn't blink. Even the air felt old.
"Is this what a kingdom outside time feels like?" Edna whispered.
Harvie didn't answer. He felt it again—his heartbeat. A real, human thump. In this place, he couldn't rewind. If he died here… he died for good.
They stopped at a large door, guarded by soldiers in silver armor. One of them opened it and nodded.
"She waits," the soldier said.
Inside was a throne room full of golden light. At the end sat a woman with white-gold hair, wearing a crown made of broken clock hands. Her eyes were deep gray, like storm clouds about to cry.
She stood slowly.
"I remember you," she said. "But you do not remember me. That is fair."
Harvie stepped forward. "You're Queen Aureline?"
"I was. And am. And might be again." Her voice was calm, but heavy. Like someone who had seen too much.
Edna watched her closely. "You're not frozen like the others."
"I chose to stay awake," the Queen said. "Because I knew he would return. The one the world calls 'Chrono's Mistake.'"
Harvie's eyes narrowed. "Why do you call me that?"
"Because you are," she said gently. "The Seals weren't meant to be broken. You were never meant to exist."
The words stabbed like knives. Harvie took a step back.
"I don't understand."
"No. You don't. Not yet." She walked down from her throne, steps echoing in the silence. "But I do not blame you. You are not the one who made the rules. You are only the piece that breaks them."
Harvie looked away. "So… what now? You kill me?"
Queen Aureline smiled sadly. "No. I offer you sanctuary. Stay here. Leave the Seals alone. Let the world keep spinning as it should. You can live a quiet life. A full one. No more fighting. No more death."
Edna stepped forward. "And if he refuses?"
"Then the storm comes," the Queen said. "And it will not spare anyone."
Harvie clenched his fists. "I can't stop now. Too many people have died. Too many truths are still hidden."
The Queen sighed. "Then I will not stop you. But I will mourn you."
She turned back to her throne. "This kingdom is cursed by time. But you… you are cursed by purpose."
As they left the throne room, Edna grabbed Harvie's hand.
"She knew you," she said. "Not just your name. She knew you."
"I think…" Harvie whispered. "I think I knew her too. In another life."
Behind them, Queen Aureline sat alone, eyes closed.
"Chrono's Mistake," she said softly. "You were never supposed to exist… but now the world will break to make room for you."