[Osric's POV — Everheart Estate, Grand Hall]
The moment the doors slammed behind her, the hall exhaled as if freed from invisible chains. But I… forgot how to breathe.
The nobles around me erupted into frantic whispers, their voices like insects around a flame:
"Did you see—?"
"She defended him—"
"She touched his hand—"
"Raised his rank?"
Their tongues were blades. And every word cut. I stood rigid beside Father's throne, my new title heavy as armor I hadn't had time to grow into.
Grand Duke.
I had dreamed of hearing the title spoken. Dreamed of her smiling from the front row as my father announced me as the Next Grand Duke.
Instead… She walked out. Hand in hand with another man.
My jaw tightened.
Sir Haldor.
A man with no noble blood. A man whose name the Empire barely whispered one week ago. And yet tonight… the Empire bowed to him.
Because she said so.
My fingers curled around my sword until I thought it would crack.
