The banquet three days later was smaller than the Founders' event — a private dinner hosted by King Victor for a handful of Council elders and their families, the kind of gathering where alliances were quietly tested over wine and roasted game.
Luna hadn't expected to serve it. Mrs. Abara had assigned her to the kitchens instead, a small mercy Luna suspected wasn't entirely accidental.
She was plating desserts when Chidinma burst through the kitchen doors, breathless, her face pale.
"You need to come. Now."
"What's wrong?"
"It's Lady Farren. She's saying things about you, out loud, in front of everyone. Damian's trying to handle it, but—" Chidinma grabbed her arm. "Just come. Please."
Luna followed her through the service corridor, heart pounding, until they reached the edge of the d
