Damian took another deep drag from the cigar before slowly lowering his hand. The purple smoke rolled from his lips as he held it for a moment, allowing the silence of the courtroom to settle around him. William immediately stepped forward and raised a small silver ashtray beneath his hand. Damian tapped the cigar against its edge, letting the ashes fall neatly into it before handing the cigar back toward his lips. Then, without saying a word, he raised one hand.
The effect was immediate.
The arguing ministers fell silent one after another until the enormous courtroom became completely still. Every gaze turned toward the throne. Some ministers leaned forward slightly, eager to hear Damian's judgment, while others remained tense, their minds already racing through the possible consequences of whatever decision the young Prince was about to make.
Amon and Duke Dabin were perhaps the most attentive of them all.
