"That witch." Maelina muttered under her breath, but everyone heard it.
"What did she do?" Zarek asked, his teeth gritted.
Eliora frowned, her brows pulling together as she looked between he and Aldric.
Aldric lowered his head again.
"My King… forgive me," he said quickly. "I should have stopped this."
He swallowed hard before continuing.
"Delilah… has declared herself…"
He hesitated for a second, like even saying it felt wrong. Then he forced the words out.
"She has appointed herself as the acting Queen."
For a moment, no one in the room moved. Then the shock hit all at once.
Maelina's eyes widened. Lily's expression hardened instantly. Even Zarek went completely still, and Eliora...
"She… what?" she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her fingers curled at her sides as she tried to process it.
Acting Queen?
Lily stepped forward. "Aldric," she said firmly, "explain."
Aldric bowed his head again.
"Elder Seer… she knows."
