Violet’s day in court dawned laden with rain and wind. Sunlight barely made it to the earth, leaving a gray shroud over everything. The palace burst with noble guests from both Basharr and Parvara, setting the gossip off like wildfire through the halls.

King Eden had changed Queen Chione’s plan last minute, cutting off the gluttonous courtiers from their hoped-for meal by holding the trial in the council chamber. Only a select group of nobles would act as judges and witnesses to ...