In the moment of tense silence, grandma Jess decided to take charge. She rallied the guards and servants, ordering them to take the handcuffs off the captives and bring good chairs. They got to work quickly. Chairs were carried out, sturdy, ornate, set in neat rows for captives. One by one, the handcuffs were removed, the clinking of iron echoing like a fading storm.
Many rubbed their wrists, some defiant, others trembling, but all forced into uneasy silence under whispered threats from the fox guards and servants.
The water in the boiling pots was suddenly turned into tea! Cups were filled and distributed, along with fresh steamed buns. The captives were confused, but the royals knew what this was. It was grandma Jess doing damage control. The next thing the old woman would claim was that this was all a misunderstanding.
Elias took this chance to find his wife and whisper, "What's the plan here?"
Sienna tapped his chest. "Watch me."
