Aria's pov

　　The minister frowned, clearly displeased. "But the rumors—"

　　"Are baseless!" Eadric's tone brooked no argument. "Aria has been nothing but loyal. This slander ends now."

　　The tension in the room crackled, but no one dared to challenge Eadric further. I kept my gaze steady, hiding the turmoil inside. I knew that as long as these doubts persisted, I was walking on a razor's edge. We had to uncover the truth, about everything, before it was ...