[Third Person].
A murmur of agreement stirred. One of the widows spoke up quietly. "If not for her… some of our leaders would be dead."
That truth spread across the gathering like steady light. Another woman nodded slowly. "If she were dangerous to us, she would have let the vampires take the throne."
A few chuckles followed. The fear began dissolving.
Helena pressed gently at the final place. "Instead of fearing a powerful Queen," she said, "perhaps we should be grateful we have one."
The silence that followed was no longer tense; rather, it was reflective. Then, unexpectedly, one of the older women began softly chanting, "Long live the Queen."
Another joined. Then another. Though their voices were not loud, it was sincere.
Helena felt the tension in her chest finally loosen. She had not forced any loyalty to the Queen. She had simply reminded them of the truth.
