CHAPTER 153
The chamber doors closed with a muted thud that echoed faintly through the tall columns. The air within was tight and heavy, steeped in the scent of candle wax and parchment. Grace sat at the head of the table, her fingers clasped together on the polished surface, her gaze lowered yet sharp enough to hold the entire room still. The councillors had gathered as instructed, each taking their usual places, their expressions bearing a mixture of restraint and unease.
Councillor Vera was the first to speak, her voice even but with a trace of hesitance. "The reports are being sorted, Your Majesty. There's still a lot that remains unclear, but the scribes have begun matching Robert's logs with the ones sent by the old northern posts. Some lines don't align."
Grace raised her eyes. "How many?".
Vera hesitated. "At least seven, possibly more. The ledgers overlap in places where they shouldn't. It looks like the same name was signed under different handwriting."
