Jocelynn sat in the chair next to her sister and watched with a heavy heart as Ashlynn and Nyrielle shared in their moment of triumph.
She was happy for Ash. She'd reminded herself of that at least seven times since the first cheer of 'forever may they reign.' But the longer the cheers went on, the more out of place she felt.
Heila wore a proud smile on her lips, basking in the affection that Ignatious showered on her while she watched Ashlynn receiving the praise of the crowd, and Jocelynn couldn't blame her for feeling proud. She'd been at Ashlynn's side almost the entire time, and this empire was her moment of triumph as much as it was Ashlynn's.
The same could be said of Virve, who had helped craft the Blood Acorn that gave rise to the Bloodroot Tree from which the empire took its name, or Ollie on the opposite side of the table, who'd helped bring the Dunns over to Ashlynn's side before she revealed herself to the March.
