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“It is not.”

“Then explain it.”

I took a breath.

“The Crown governs. The Veil preserves.”

She waited.

“There are operations the Crown may authorize. Threats it may be briefed on. Strategic decisions it may direct.” I paused. “There are also identities, contingency systems, foreign assets, hidden routes, dormant defenses, and continuity protocols the Crown does not automatically receive.”

Her expression sharpened. “Why not?”

“Because kings change.”

The answer made her still.

“Governments change. Councils change. Alliances change. Succession changes.” I held her gaze. “Some systems cannot be rebuilt every time political authority shifts.”

“So the Veil keeps secrets from whoever sits on the throne.”

“Yes.”

“Both the King and Crown Prince?”

“Yes.”

She absorbed that.

I continued before she could misunderstand.

“Not because the Veil outranks them.”

“Then because?”

“Because some knowledge becomes less secure the more legitimate people possess it.”

Talia’s mouth tightened. “That sounds convenient.”

“It can be.”

The admission surprised her.

I looked toward the dark terminal. “That is part of the problem.”

She said nothing.

“For years, I accepted compartmentalization as protection. One compromised official could not expose every operative. One captured commander could not reveal every route. One corrupted prince could not dismantle every contingency.”

“And now?”

“Now I know the same walls can conceal corruption from everyone capable of stopping it.”

Her eyes held mine.

“So which secrets do you still think Anik shouldn’t know?”

I considered the question carefully.