"I… I don't know what you are talking about, Celia," Aurora blurted out, her voice betraying her despite her effort to sound composed. Her eyes darted frantically around the hall, refusing to settle on anyone for more than a second. She feared that if she held eye contact too long, someone would see through her, see the lie trembling beneath her skin.
Her fingers twitched at her sides, and her shoulders felt stiff, like they might snap under the weight of the attention pressing down on her.
"Can't you see she is not the one?" Vealor interjected sharply, stepping forward as though to shield his daughter from the growing scrutiny.
Aurora nodded quickly, almost too quickly.
"Why not let your daughter speak for herself? I'm sure she can defend herself," Lord Septimus said coolly, turning his piercing gaze toward Lord Vealor. Lucien's eyes followed, equally sharp, equally unforgiving.
