Chapter 95

Arya ate her food slowly, her self-consciousness heightened by the presence of the court royals at the table. She was particularly aware of Damian, who had made a bold move by seating her to his left, beside him at the head of the table. The royals smiled and exchanged conversations, but Arya detected the subtle whispers beneath their breath, trading gossip about her.

She longed to clear the air, to set the record straight about her parents' deaths. She wanted to tell them that her parents weren't the evil people they were rumored to be, but rather two young lovers who dared to dream of bridging the gap between their kinds. But, of course, her evil uncle had to snuff out their love.

The memory left a sour taste in her mouth, and Arya quickly lifted her glass of wine to her lips, seeking a moment's refuge from the tension. As she took a sip, she couldn't help but wonder what other secrets were being whispered about her, and what lay ahead in this treacherous game of court politics.

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