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I was confused.
Why was there a knife?
The old woman's eyes moved between us as we stopped before the dais. The officials that had escorted us quickly moved aside to take their positions with the rest of the other officials while two young male vampires dressed similarly as the old woman joined her on both sides.
Her voice was surprisingly steady when she spoke.
"We gather to witness the binding of rule," she began, her words carrying through the silent chamber. "And to seal the covenant between crown and nation, sovereign and subject."
She reached for the first scroll and unrolled it with practiced hands.
The obligations were read aloud, and within moments, I knew it was meant for Fashire. Vows, responsibilities, the weight of what he was agreeing to, was laid bare in formal language that felt both ancient and suffocating.
I listened carefully, committing each word to memory even as part of me wanted to turn and walk away.
