Chapter 61 Court Opposition

Chapter 61 Court Opposition
Thessaly knew the council meeting would be bad when Elowen arrived early.

The noble swept into the chamber like she owned it, all sharp edges and cold smiles, gathering her faction around her like weapons. Thessaly counted at least twelve nobles who wouldn't meet her eyes, which meant they'd already decided she was the problem.

"Should I be worried?" she asked Davorin quietly.

He stood beside the throne, reviewing reports with that carefully blank expression he wore when things were about to get ugly. "Probably."

"Comforting."

"You asked."

The rest of the council filed in. Varian took his position near the wall, close enough to intervene if things went sideways. Ondine sat near the healers' section, face tight with concern. Corwin Greymark hovered near Elowen's group, which told Thessaly everything she needed to know about where his loyalties lay.

Davorin called the meeting to order. Standard reports first. Border patrols, trade negotiations, supply chains. Boring administrative stuff that usually put half the room to sleep.

Today nobody looked bored.

They were waiting. Thessaly could feel it in the air, taste it like copper on her tongue. The bond hummed with Davorin's tension, though his face revealed nothing.

"If there's no other business," Davorin said finally, "we'll adjourn."

"Actually." Elowen stood. "There is one matter we need to discuss."

Here it comes, Thessaly thought.

"The council has concerns," Elowen continued, "about the continued presence of the Lumenvale princess in this palace."

"Noted," Davorin said flatly. "Moving on."

"We're not finished." Elowen's voice sharpened. "With respect, Your Majesty, this isn't a minor concern. She's a security risk. An enemy asset. And after the recent assassination attempt that her own friend participated in, we can no longer ignore the danger she poses."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room. Thessaly's stomach dropped.

"Princess Thessaly had nothing to do with that attack," Davorin said.

"Didn't she? Her childhood friend arrives, brings assassins into the palace, and we're supposed to believe she knew nothing?" Elowen turned to face the room. "How convenient that she discovered the plot just in time to appear innocent."

"I did discover it," Thessaly said, keeping her voice steady. "I searched Isleen's belongings and found the poison."

"Or you planted the evidence to cover your own involvement." Elowen's smile was razor-sharp. "Either way, you're a threat to this realm."

"That's enough," Davorin said.

"It's not enough. It's barely started." Elowen pulled out a scroll. "I've compiled a list of reasons why this woman should be removed from the palace. Permanently."

Thessaly's mouth went dry. Removed permanently. They weren't talking about exile.

They were talking about execution.

"Lady Elowen," Varian warned.

"Let her speak," Davorin said, voice like winter. "I want to hear this."

Elowen's eyes gleamed. She'd been waiting for this, Thessaly realized. Planning it. This wasn't spontaneous anger. This was calculated destruction.

"First," Elowen read, "she's the daughter of the enemy king. Her very presence here is an insult to every family that lost someone in the war."

Thessaly flinched. That one was fair. She was the enemy's daughter. Had grown up in the kingdom Davorin destroyed.

"Second, she's a proven security risk. Her friend nearly succeeded in killing you, Your Majesty. Who's to say she won't finish the job?"

"I'm not trying to kill anyone," Thessaly said.

"So you claim. But you're still Lumenvale royalty. Still connected to the families plotting against us." Elowen's voice rose. "Your brother is raising an army. Your mother sends spies into our borders. And you expect us to believe you're not coordinating with them?"

"I'm not."

"Can you prove that? Can you stand here and swear you've had no contact with your family since arriving?"

Thessaly couldn't. Because she had talked to Malachi that one time, before she'd chosen Davorin. Before she'd burned that bridge.

Her silence was damning.

"Third," Elowen continued, "you're a political nightmare. Five kingdoms have demanded we hand you over. Our allies are questioning our judgment. Trade negotiations have stalled because nobody trusts a realm that harbors enemy royalty."

That was also fair. Thessaly had heard the whispers, seen the way ambassadors looked at her. She was a complication nobody wanted to deal with.

"Fourth, you have no official status. You're not a hostage anymore. Not a prisoner. Not a guest. You simply exist here, taking up space and resources, while providing nothing in return."

Thessaly's throat was tight. She wanted to argue, but what could she say? She wasn't useful. Hadn't done anything to earn her place here except survive.

"Fifth," and Elowen's voice went cold, "you're a seductress who's wormed her way into the king's confidence. Using your immunity to the death curse to manipulate him emotionally. You've isolated him from his advisors, made him question the people who've served him for decades, and turned him against his own court."

"That's a lie," Thessaly said.

"Is it? You spend every night alone with him. The guards report it. The servants talk about it. You've insinuated yourself into his life until he can barely function without you." Elowen turned to Davorin. "She's poisoning you, Your Majesty. Not with venom, but with dependence. And if we don't remove her now, you'll choose her over this entire realm."

The room erupted.