The old order

From one of the windows of Aritreia Palace, Henry watched as Latrel's burnt head was hoisted into the air, placed at the center of the plaza for all to see. Though far away, he seemed to be able to make out the hushed murmurs spreading through the restrained crowd, their eyes wide with horror.

"It was supposed to be your husband's head up there."- Henry said coldly, turning his gaze away from the crowd to the golden-haired woman standing behind him. She clutched her two sleeping children tightly. Leier, standing silently behind her, rested a hand on the hilt of her short sword, ready to strike at the slightest sign of resistance. 

At those words, the former queen's body tensed, her grip tightening around her children. Her eyes, wide with desperation, fixed on Henry's face. She tried to speak, but only garbled sounds escaped her.