The Test of the Queen
"Your Majesty I Am Videl A Simple Student Of The Knight Academy In Fantom City."
Videl spoke up, her words cutting clean through the throne room's hush - calm, measured, nothing sharp. Down went her chin, just a fraction, following old rules without thinking. Quiet dignity held more weight than loud demands ever could.
Stillness filled the great room, just for a breath. Then nothing moved.
Then -
A shadow of movement crossed the dais as Queen Amara tilted just a touch ahead, her red gaze tracing the girl standing below. The silence held without pressure, simply watching.
"Do not be so humble," the Queen said calmly.
Floating across the room, her words curled around corners - not loud, never rushed, but impossible to ignore. Each syllable settled like dust in sunlight, gentle on the surface, heavy beneath.
"It only makes you appear more arrogant."
A quiet grin tugged at one edge of her mouth.
"We already know who you are."
