Praise broke out almost immediately.
"Madam Cornelia is fair," Hall said first, planting a fist over his chest as he bowed deeply. His voice was loud, steady, and full of conviction. "No one can say otherwise."
Zed followed, his usual sharp tone softened by respect. "Yes. Fair and decisive. The Moonshade Family would not stand where it is today without you."
Around them, murmurs spread like ripples through water.
Approval. Agreement. Relief.
Many of the Blood Knights had expected chaos after what happened. Instead, Cornelia had cut through it cleanly, assigning blame and punishment without hesitation.
Cain stayed silent, his head lowered, shoulders slumped. To everyone else, he looked humbled, even ashamed.
Inside his head, he was floating.
Fair. Yes. Very fair. You hear that? I am being punished fairly. This is excellent. Everything is proceeding beautifully.
He sounded sarcastic and his eyes were even rolling.
