A suffocating, absolute silence fell over the council chamber in a single, agonizing instant.
The color drained completely from Cecilia Diamond's face, leaving her skin as pale and lifeless as carved ivory. Her wide, desperate eyes locked onto Evangeline, filled with a horrific mixture of shock, betrayal, and unspeakable dread. Beside her, King Julian looked as though he had been struck by a physical blow; the victorious smirk he had worn moments ago withered into a ghastly, hollow mask.
Duke Diamond was the first to find his voice, his deep rumble trembling as he fought with every fiber of his being to suppress his rising fury.
"I understand that Your Majesty took our suggestion into consideration..." Duke Diamond began, his hands clenching into bloodless fists beneath his long silk sleeves. "...but marrying him to my daughter, My Queen? This is..."
