“Silence! Silence, I say!”

At the head of the meeting table, seated a few steps above the rest in the royal chair, the King of Belvur raised his voice. The commotion died down somewhat.

But unlike the heavy silence from earlier, this one felt precarious, as if dissent might erupt at any moment. The clinking of armor, the rustling of clothing, the sound of heavy breathing, and quiet whispers filled the room. The silence was uneasy and chaotic.

“Princess Sylvia, you are permitted to speak. If you’ve made such a suggestion, I presume you have your reasons. Please explain so …