The air grew tense and unnaturally quiet.
Alyssane could not understand the sudden tension, she glanced at Seraphina, whose smile, usually as bright as a summer's day, now felt strained, almost cold. Something stirred among the gathered court officials, hushed murmurs laced with a mixture of envy and suspicions.
The Crown Prince was a heartless vicious man only known for shedding blood, how could he suddenly bestow his favor upon an outsider with no family background?
Seraphina sighed and just as she was about to say something, a large raven fluttered out from its cage, startling the entire hall with a flurry of its black feathers. It flew straight through the assembled nobles, causing gasps and cries.
"Who let the crow out?!" Some shouted.
"It almost plucked my eyes!"
"Someone catch that beast!!"
