The reception was in full swing, the grand hall alive with music, chatter, and the clinking of crystal glasses. Guests mingled and danced, their laughter echoing off the high ceilings. At the centre of it all stood Damien and Elenor, the newly wedded king and queen, glowing under the soft glow of the chandeliers. They had barely a moment to themselves as nobles, allies, and court members queued to offer their congratulations.
Despite the smiles and kind words, Elenor couldn’t shake the undercurrent of tension. Scarlett’s earlier display had been a blatant attempt to steal the spotlight, and though Damien had handled it swiftly, Elenor felt the weight of the situation. Scarlett wasn’t going to stop, and they both knew it.
As another lord and his wife approached, Elenor plastered on a grac
