Lumina stood motionless near the bier, the white silk draping the queen's body catching the torchlight in faint, shimmering waves.
The hall felt colder now, the air thick with incense and grief and something sharper than anticipation. She kept her blindfold in place, head slightly tilted as though listening to every breath in the room.
Adam's voice broke first,. "What do you mean? That she is the one who killed my mum?"
He glanced wildly between Rhynera and Serena, chest rising and falling too fast. Serena crossed her arms, lips curving into a slow, satisfied smirk.
"I… I don't know what you are talking about," Rhynera stammered, pressing one hand to her swollen belly as though the unborn child could shield her. "I never killed the queen."
Serena clapped once, sharp and deliberate and two guards dragged a third man forward. He stumbled between them, head bowed so low his chin nearly touched his chest. Guilt rolled off him in waves as he refused to lift his eyes.
