Third-person POV
Queen Jella sat with her arms folded tightly across her chest, her sharp eyes sweeping across the long table in front of her. They were gathered in one of her private houses, the one hidden far from the palace where no one could eavesdrop.
Beside her sat Hunter, and then across from them were General Aurelian, who had just come in from Valternor, and Elder Esmeralda, one of the oldest and most influential members of the Elmerian court.
Hunter hadn't said a word since he walked in. He'd been keeping a low profile, just like Jella told him to, and ever since he introduced himself to the council of elders behind the king's back, he had been careful not to draw too much attention.
Most of the elders now supported him, of course, just like the queen had assured him they would, and she had also been sure it was only a matter of time before they could force the king to name him as the next heir, but now, things had taken a new turn.
