Serena’s POV
The great hall had fallen into a stunned silence broken only by the fading echo of the ceremony bells. I stood at the front with the duplicate treaty still raised high in my trembling hands, Penelope clinging to my side like a lifeline. The weight of every eye in the room pressed down on me. Guests, guards, my father, and Grey. Alaric’s solid presence at my right anchored me, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back in silent support. Gale stood guard on my left, his sword half-drawn, ready for any sudden move.
Grey recovered first, his face contorted with rage as he stepped forward, pointing an accusing finger at the document. “This is a farce!” he bellowed, his voice echoing off the stone walls. “That parchment is clearly forged! Look at it—too pristine, too conven
