The tension in the dining hall was stifling, thick enough to cut with a knife. The room remained quiet, save for the faint, rhythmic clinking of cutlery against porcelain as those seated forced themselves to focus on their meals. Even that small sound seemed too loud in the queen's presence, her very aura making the atmosphere all the more unbearable. Five people sat around the long dining table, yet not a single word had been exchanged for what felt like an eternity.
The day Nheera had been quietly dreading since news of the rescued people reached the palace was finally upon her. Later that day, the king would hold court with the gathered courtiers to discuss Ragnar's deeds. She wished, more than anything, that she could simply absent herself from the proceedings altogether.
