Feints and Traps (Part 1)
Brinja had just repeated Deirus' words in a much less subtle way and used the slap to alter the meaning of his words at her own convenience.
'Silly girl.' Jirni inwardly cursed while Deirus gloated. 'There's no way such a simple ruse can work.'
And yet there was.
Neither of them knew that Mirim had been Sylpha's closest friend for over thirty years, her beloved academy mate, her closest aide, her confidant, and shoulder to cry on during her hardest times.
Sylpha loved the late Marchioness like a sister and Brinja like a daughter. The Queen had spent her whole life hiding her feelings, but that didn't make them any less intense. She had hidden her grief and rage all along because her role demanded it.
Now, however, Deirus had spat on Mirim's corpse and threatened her daughter right in front of the grieving Queen.