There were no angry accusations or restless crowds milling about the square. The only sounds that lingered were the Queen's calm, measured voice and the relentless wind, which whipped the banners into a continuous, rustling roar.
Astrid perched on the windowsill, her hands resting gently around Lyra's waist. Her slender legs, clad in black stockings, were crossed gracefully as she relished the warmth of the skin beneath the pristine white fabric. Her crimson eyes lowered, she listened silently to Iris's speech.
The contents of this trial were just as she had expected. Besides presenting conclusive and credible evidence of the former king's crimes to establish the legitimacy of her succession, Iris was also conveying her political ideals to the crowd gathered around them.
She would never repeat the former king's mistakes, and she would strive to make up for the patience he had lacked.
