Daeron glanced briefly toward Seraphielle and noticed even she seemed widely intrigued now, even though she tried to hide it.
Which said a great deal.
The High Priestess of the Vale was not easily surprised by anything mortal courts had to offer, yet even she had gone unusually still while staring toward the royal platform.
Meanwhile, the unknown woman stood calmly before the queen's throne, entirely composed despite hundreds of eyes fixed upon her.
There was no fear in her posture, no nervousness, no uncertainty. Only quiet dignity.
Like a woman who had long grown accustomed to judgment and no longer feared it.
King Valerian stepped forward slowly before the royal platform, his dark robes sweeping across the polished marble floor behind him.
The hall immediately descended into complete silence. The tension hanging within the chamber was almost suffocating now.
