Mary Ann’s POV
The High Moon Council chamber felt different without Magnus Thorne sitting in the center.
Not safer.
Not yet.
But less controlled.
Three neutral elders had been selected to review the case while the ethics investigation into Magnus continued. None belonged to the families named in Viktor’s old Sovereign House correspondence. None had voted in the earlier procedural disputes. Their job was simple.
Review the evidence.
Determine whether I had actually committed treason.
For the first time since arriving in the capital, that seemed possible.
I sat beside my legal representative while Modric remained behind me with the Ironclaw delegation. Liora sat on my other side.
No grand speeches.
No public crowd inside the chamber.
Only documents.
The neutral panel had ordered
