Silence. The drop of a pin would have echoed throughout the room as no one dared to move. No one dared to speak. My words hung heavily in the air. It was a verdict they had all expected, one that no one would dare to contest. However, my warning rang true. It served to remind my people that I would protect them as their queen, but I would be as ruthless in my punishments as my Rhosyn background permitted. Not a single person who defied this kingdom and my ruling would be spared.
The eldest Carne daughter collapsed, her husband barely managing to catch her before she hit the floor. I ignored her as I stepped away from the marquess and instead stood before his wife. Months had passed since I'd last seen her, but the marchioness had never looked more her age than she did then. Her hair wa
