Just as Lirien had predicted, the Hertford house was overflowing with people. She would have gone to the Vortellion house but she knew that she would not be able to find Mirielle there.
Carriages lined the road outside the mansion, one after another, each bearing a different noble crest. Servants hurried back and forth, their faces tight with stress as they guided guests inside, took coats, announced names, and offered condolences that had already been repeated too many times.
Inside the house, the air was thick.
Thick with perfume.
Thick with whispers.
Thick with lies dressed as sympathy.
Audrey stood near the main hall, clutching a white handkerchief in her trembling fingers. Her eyes were red, her shoulders shaking as she cried softly... again.
"Oh, my poor child," an older lady murmured, wrapping Audrey in a hug. "You must be strong."
Audrey nodded weakly, dabbing at her eyes. "Thank you... Thank you for coming."
