The reaction was immediate.
Gasps erupted across the banquet hall and looks of utter disbelief spread across the faces of nearly every guest present.
Several goblets nearly slipped from stunned hands while whispers exploded like wildfire beneath the golden chandeliers.
"No…"
"What?!"
"That's impossible!"
"No—"
"The queen?!"
Several nobles outright rose halfway from their seats in shock before hurriedly remembering themselves and sitting back down properly.
Women stared openly in disbelief. Men exchanged stunned looks. One elderly lord nearly dropped his goblet entirely onto the marble floor.
"The cursed queen?"
"That cannot possibly be true…"
"The queen?!"
"The cursed queen?"
A storm of whispers exploded throughout the chamber. The disbelief was almost palpable.
