Evelyn felt her hands tremble a little just as she walked into the council room, which felt heavy and uneasy, filled with stress and the smell of old wood. It was her very first official council meeting, and the silence that filled the room made her own heartbeat become very loud. Everyone in the room stared at her, all the old elders in fancy clothes, with their eyes filled with doubt, and even the maids and helpers talked quietly among themselves.
The main chair was there for Damien, who sat up straight, with his blue eyes looking all around with power. He gave her a quick nod, signalling to her to be brave, but it was clear he would not step in for her, not unless he had to. Evelyn took a long, deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She was there to show she could stand strong, not just beside Damien, but also as his equal.
