Verona stood in the center of her room, her back to the door, and let out a long, shuddering breath that seemed to carry the weight of the entire afternoon with it.
The adrenaline that had sustained her through the verbal barbs, the strategic smiles, and the explosive "mud incident" was finally beginning to faded away, leaving a heavy, satisfied ache in its wake.
"You both did wonderfully today," Verona said, her voice soft but clear as she turned to Brielle and Mina.
Mina stepped forward to unhook the heavy, jewel-encrusted layers of Verona's Northern silk gown, while Brielle began carefully removing the pins from her intricate hairstyle.
"We just follow your instructions, My Lady," Mina replied.
"Mina's right," Brielle added with a knowing smile as she set the last hairpiece aside. "But it was your Grace who led the dance. They were all in the palm of your hand."
