HINA'

nial hall. Everyone stared, stunned

rembling finger at me, too enraged to speak. He had never i

and on the table. The dragon-crystal goblets rattled from th

d the decree to the elder, Lord Reginald.

the parchment. As his eyes scanned the

You are truly vicious! Lord Kaelen explains himself

to his feet like a loyal dog, defe

fiancés, and now that Lord Kaelen has miraculously returned, you want to drive him awa

and, was killed in a succession war when I was a child. The other, the son of one of my father's bannermen

, those whisper

this

lbow. The tea was freshly brewed,

up. With a flick of my wrist, I flung the s

d, clutching his fac

his skin red. A few tea leaves

If my announcement had been

l, quiet First Daughter of House

de with fear. Lady Elara and Cressida

er voice filled with ge

writhing on the floor, and calmly

rying like a shard of ice. "This cup is to

ady Elara took over this household, the reputation of House Croft has declined, and our businesses

among the Croft relatives. They had all witnessed the family's decline over the year

ilas, went pale. Cressida nervousl

eked. "I have worked myself to the bone fo

. "Then would you dare to show the account b

e ledgers were her greatest weakness, f

Enough! Guards, take the First Daugh

pped forward, their armor

, are you certain you want to punish your own daught

e. He saw the unyieldi

n old but powerfu

, his face grim. "There are too many questions about what has happened here

ment. My words had successfully plan

s eyes sharpened as he looked from Lord Regin

all, triumphant smile. Th