Silence filled the archives. Lilith clenched her fist, her nails digging into her palm through the paper.
No one moved. Councillor Renault belonged to one of the oldest noble houses in the kingdom.
Lilith had chosen caution, stability, and patience. She had already spared the family from execution once, but her naivety came to bite since it seems that the brush from death didn't scare them but only built more resentment.
Atheline watched her carefully. She closed her eyes briefly then opened them again.
"That was a mistake."
No one disagreed, since she was right. Zelpher nodded.
"Yes."
Lilith looked toward the growing piles of evidence, years of betrayal, conspiracy, and hidden activity operating beneath her kingdom. And she had allowed it, though not intentionally, it still irked her.
Atheline stepped beside her and placed his hand in the middle of her back. She didn't look at him.
He spoke quietly.
