The moment she stepped into the audience chamber, she could feel the air being sucked from the room as every member of the royal court took a sharp intake of breath. Celeste forced herself forward, under their incredulous stares. Behind her trailed a cape that was made for a man that in his life was much taller than herself, the edges re-hemmed, but still speckled with stubborn stains of blood.
And without her having to say a single word, the room at large knew where she stood, and that was by her brother. Despite his treachery. Despite all the damage he both had done and tried to do. Despite him being dead and gone, she held her head up high, bearing his cloak and the condemnation she knew would come with it. She had abandoned her brother once, but never again.
