CHAPTER 50
The hall had fallen into a tense silence. Every noble, every commander, every citizen present carried the same rigid posture of anticipation.
King Charlenugo stood at the head of the chamber, his expression unreadable as he gave the order. "Bring out the test crown. Clean it."
Grace finally understood the test and she had immediately known this was coming. The reality of it was far more suffocating than she had imagined. If she undergoes the test, and wore that crown, then her secret would be laid bare for all to see. Their suspicions would become certainty.
Her hands clenched into fists. "I need air," she said abruptly, turning away. She stepped out of the grand hall, her every breath feeling heavier than the last. The air outside did little to soothe her nerves, she paced across the lawn, thoughts unraveling into worse possibilities.
She was so lost in her turmoil that she didn't notice a person was approaching, until they spoke.
"You shouldn't be out here."
