Lady Lindsay's face turned pale. The plan she had carefully crafted had completely failed.
Instead of trapping Princess Viana and sabotaging the ceremony, now all eyes were on her with suspicion. Her maid, who was supposed to guard her chalice, had been seen wandering in the right wing of the temple, the area where Viana's chalice was kept, during the fire.
Whispers among the priests and paladins grew louder. The looks of distrust directed at her were undeniable, making Lindsay struggle to hide her unease.
But before she could offer any defense, the High Priest struck his staff against the floor again.
"We have no time for further debate. We can deal with this matter later," the High Priest declared firmly. "The ceremony must continue."
As the tension inside the temple settled, preparations resumed. The citizens had gathered around the temple, especially in the main courtyard, to witness the ceremony.
