Elara looked at the terrified, hyperventilating mob of politicians, and then down at the crumpled newspaper in her hand.
"Let's talk inside," Elara commanded, her voice cutting through the panic like a blade.
She turned and pushed open the heavy oak doors, stepping into the quiet sanctuary of her office. The twenty administrators flooded in behind her, and the moment the doors clicked shut, the dam broke. It was as if she had unleashed a flock of panicked geese into a small room. They became a wall of non-stop, overlapping chatter.
"Your Highness, do you know how much insult this has caused?!"
"What about our respect? Our reputation is in ruins!"
"The conservative nobles have already drafted a petition to the Emperor!"
"The royal family is in absolute jeopardy! We will be the laughingstock of the continent!"
"What should we do, Regent? We must issue a public denial immediately!"
