Violet's Bait

All eyes turned to Christiana once again, the air taut with anticipation.

They waited—not just to hear her judgment, but to read between her words. Every noble present, whether minor lord or heir of a grand house, wanted to know: 'Who would claim the Yellow Anchor Stone?'

Christiana stood with poise, her gaze calm yet commanding.

"All the families here—great and small—serve the Almace Kingdom," she began. Her voice was steady, but each syllable struck with precision. "I would like to believe that the Yellow Anchor Stone, should it be found, would be used for good."

There was a pause.

"Therefore... the first family to obtain it may keep it."

A wave of murmured joy spread through the tent. Nobles turned to one another, whispering excitedly behind hands, some already calculating possibilities, others basking in the idea of walking out as victors. It was a rare statement of neutrality—one that promised true competition.