The silence that followed my words was not empty. It was heavy. Taut. A stretched string waiting for someone to pluck it wrong.
Then came the smiles.
Lady Venet raised her glass. "A bold choice of seat, Lady Vivian."
"Only bold if someone planned to sit there."
The faintest twitch of her brow. Chancellor Grath chuckled into his wine.
"We had assumed you might observe from the perimeter," said Duke Merrow. "Neutral ground, and all that."
I smiled sweetly. "I’ve never believed in neutrality when ambition’s on the menu."
Correnne, to her credit, sipped her drink with studied serenity.
Baron Caldoran stood at the head of the table, clearly unsure whether to continue with the formal toast or wait for the tension to settle. I gestured slightly. "Please, Baron. Let’s not let drama delay o
