"Let's start the daily reports. And make it short," Queen Aurelia said, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere in the throne room like a blade. Her platinum blonde hair gleamed under the torchlight, and her sharp eyes flicked across the gathered ministers. But everyone could see something different today.
There are strands of red hairs on the bangs of her majesty today.
But it's not that important right now.
They all stood straighter, each one aware of her mood, though the exact reason behind it was known to only a few. To most, this seemed like Aurelia at her worst—fiery, irritable, and pressuring them with a silent intensity. But the prime minister and the most seasoned ministers recognized it for what it truly was: a rare moment of absolute focus.
