Gloria POV
Lord Vance stared at the floor where the spilled liquid had scarred the stone, his mouth opening and closing as if he were struggling to draw breath. Commander Kael took two deliberate steps forward, his boots crunching against broken clay shards as he lowered his gaze to inspect the corrosion.
"This is wolf-root poison," Kael declared, his voice cutting through the heavy silence of the anteroom. "It is mixed with dark nightshade oil, meant to act quickly and leave little trace behind."
"My daughter knows nothing of this!" Lord Vance shouted, pointing a trembling finger toward Martha. "This girl could be lying! She could have been paid by anyone to defame House Vance!"
William raised his hand, a quiet gesture that instantly cut off Lord Vance's shouting. His golden eyes were
