Chapter 129: The Eyes That Now Watch
Mirelle did not rush.
She gathered the parchments before her with quiet precision, aligning their edges before lifting the topmost sheet and sliding it across the polished blackwood table toward the Queen.
The faint sound it made—paper against lacquer—seemed louder than it should have been.
"Firstly," she said, her tone measured, "the commoners are requesting clarity."
The Queen's gaze lowered, though she did not yet touch the document.
"Clarity?" she repeated.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mirelle's hands folded neatly before her.
"They wish to know who the suitor candidates are."
A small pause followed.
"After last evening," she continued, "interest in the competition has increased… significantly."
That was, perhaps, the gentlest way it could have been phrased.
