But Julian did not trust that peace for a second.
He knew how deceiving appearances could be.
Julian's eyes then left the King and settled on the woman who had spoken earlier.
He had assumed she would be the Queen.
But she was… too old?
If the King were to be in his late forties, this woman looked to be in her mid-sixties. The mismatch was obvious enough that Julian's first conclusion faded.
Then, as if answering his question, the higher-ranking members of the duchy bowed and greeted her in unison.
"It is an honor to see you, Queen Mother."
That caught Julian off guard.
Queen Mother.
The King's mother.
She was still alive? And if so, why have I never heard of her?
**
The Queen Mother was a far more interesting specimen than he had expected.
