The room that had been filled with music and laughter less than two weeks earlier was now covered in a thick blanket of silence.
This time, thankfully, Kel was dressed in a more traditional style.
Her gown had a long skirt and train, and her sleeves fell to her elbows. Though, the front of the dress featured a v cut down to her stomach with only sheer material sewn in to cover her bare skin.
Still, she felt far more comfortable than she had in the outfit she wore to the banquet.
As she and Calix walked to the front of the room, she glanced around at the grim faces around them.
The royal family, in particular, looked solemn. They sat in a line, perfect posture and ashen faces, as if waiting for an ax to fall. Some of the council members shared the apprehensive expression, while others seemed nonchalant.
