The council chamber was packed. Every noble who could fit had squeezed onto the benches. Lord Vesper sat in the front row, his expression carefully neutral. Behind him, his conservative faction filled three full rows.
Aeron stood at the head of the table. He had not slept in two days. Seren could see it in the shadows under his eyes, in the way his hand trembled slightly when he reached for his notes. But his voice was steady.
"Eight days ago, Lord Vesper presented his objections to the Human Rights Charter," Aeron began. "He argued that granting humans rights would destabilize the kingdom. That species hierarchy is natural. That the queen is an exception, not a model."
Vesper nodded gravely.
"I have considered these objections." Aeron unrolled a parchment covered in his precise handwriting. "And I offer a counter-proposal."
The room leaned forward.
