Queen Maeve's presence had set the stage for what was sure to be a contentious meeting, and everyone braced for the clash that was bound to unfold.
"For this case, my son Andre would precede it." King Oberon said and another round of murmuring rippled through the air.
King Oberon's declaration that his son Andre would preside over Elena's case sent a ripple of murmurs through the grand hall. Traditionally, this role should have fallen to Prince Valerie, the crown prince and Elena's fiancé. The gathered ministers and high lords exchanged glances, puzzled by the deviation from the norm.
All eyes turned to Valerie, but his face remained an unreadable mask, betraying no hint of his thoughts or feelings. His posture was rigid, his gaze fixed forward, giving no indication of his inner turmoil. The expectation of an emotional reaction hung heavy in the air, but Valerie offered none, his stoic demeanor a barrier to the speculation swirling around him.
