"Maye," the Old Queen called softly.
Queen Maye bowed her head and answered.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
The Old Queen regarded her in silence for a moment before asking, "Do I have eyes at the back of my head?"
The question caught several people in the chamber off guard.
"No, Your Majesty," Queen Maye answered carefully as she left where she stood, coming to stand before the crown.
The Old Queen folded her hands in her lap.
"Then explain to me, step by step, why the crown prince is being tortured and interrogated before his guilt has been proven."
An uneasy silence settled over the room.
No one dared to speak. Even the veteran ministers, who normally never hesitated to voice their opinions, kept their lips firmly sealed.
Queen Maye drew in a slow breath before beginning.
