Viviana's footsteps echoed softly on the polished stone floor of the West wing corridor. Sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, but her mind was far from the beauty of the palace. A frown creased her brow as she replayed the morning in her head. She had been certain that the news of Lord Chancellor Marius's sudden demise would be the main topic of conversation among the palace staff.
"Why isn't anyone gossiping about Lord Chancellor Marius's death?" she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible. She had completed the job last night, made sure to deliver the right dose that would end him, confident that it would spread like wildfire through the palace grapevine. "I expected Elara and Lyra to be all over it when cleaning this morning, but no response. Not a single word."
