The Portrait Without a Face

Behind Elara's blank portrait was the original succession mechanism: the crown had no will. Venn's office selected whose memories it consumed.

The crown choosing Elara had been Liora's command, entered through their mother's witness seal.

Elara's anger found its correct shape. Her sister had forced the return, but Venn had built the weapon.

Senna removed the control plate. Every oathstone in the palace went dark.

For one breath, they believed they had won.

Then emergency bells rang from all five city gates. Venn had moved the system outside the palace.