Chapter 73

Veronica's POV:

My father's words hung in the air, a command that brooked no opposition. With a flicker of dread, I nodded in submission and rose from my seat. The eyes of the council members and the queen followed us as we made our way out of the grand dining hall, a silent procession to a private domain.

The palace hallway, once bustling with activity, now seemed hushed and still as my father led the way. Each step I took felt heavy, laden with a mix of uncertainty and anticipation. The walls of the palace seemed to close in on me, an invisible pressure squeezing at my chest.

We arrived at my father's chambers, a place that held both comfort and unease. The room, adorned with regal furnishings and shelves lined with books, enveloped me in a sense of familiarity. However, my father's stern expression reminded me of the seriousness of the situation at hand.

"Sit," my father commanded, gesturing towards a plush armchair in front of his intricately carved desk. I complied, taking my pla