"The status of a concubine in your estate, said to be practicing medicine without a license."
Lucien leaned back in his chair and exhaled.
"So you intend to publicly assess a concubine in court."
Elira did not waver. "If she claims to heal, she must be able to explain her methods under royal protocol."
"And if she does not?" Samuel asked sharply.
Kaelis stepped in then, tone lighter but deadly underneath. "Then she would be removed from this estate and placed under royal discipline."
Lucien's jaw clenched.
Just then, the chamber doors opened again.
Liora was led in wearing a soft ivory dress, her hair half-pinned, unsure if she had been summoned for punishment or ceremony. Her eyes swept the room saw Kaelis, the Petra soldiers, and the strange woman.
Then her gaze met Lucien's.
He didn't look away.
Rowan whispered beside him, "This isn't just about her credentials anymore. They're testing how far they can push."
Lucien remained still.
