By morning, the palace was buzzing.
Whispers followed me through the halls like shadows.
"That's the new queen."
"She won't last a week."
"The curse always kills them."
I kept my head high, even though my hands shook beneath my sleeves.
Kael walked beside me, silent and unreadable. His presence alone made courtiers bow in fear. I could feel their eyes flick between us, waiting for signs burn marks, blood, a corpse.
Instead, I was very much alive.
At the council hall, an old noble sneered. "Your Majesty, shall we prepare funeral rites in advance?"
The room went still.
Kael's aura darkened, but before he could speak, I stepped forward.
"Save your rites," I said calmly. "I don't plan on dying."
Shock rippled through the hall.
Kael turned to me, golden eyes sharp.
For the first time, I saw something there.
Interest.