The atmosphere shifted instantly, the weight of the moment dispersing as Lady Valen entered.
Her emerald gown swept across the marble floor, each step deliberate, the rhythmic click of her heels echoing like a judge's gavel, demanding attention.
But it was not the elegance of her attire that seized the room—it was the force of her presence, a weight that settled over them like an unspoken decree.
Her eyes locked onto the cape first, and for the briefest moment, a flicker of something broke through her rigid composure—a sharp inhale, barely restrained, as if the sight of it had struck her like a physical blow.
Then, she turned to Bennet, her gaze cold but searching, before sweeping across the room, measuring every pair of watching eyes.
