The whispers spread wildly throughout the hall the moment Freya's words settled.
The entire hall erupted into noise.
The candidates, the Highlines, the Lowlines, the guards, and even the servants standing quietly at the edges of the hall had stunned looks on their faces.
"She really surrendered…"
Elder Portia gasped as she slowly stood up from her seat.
Her aged eyes were filled with both shock and confusion while she stared toward the stage.
"This has to be a joke, right?"
Elder Fredrick suddenly rose from his chair and pointed toward the platform in disbelief.
"First, some no-name Lowline boy defeats Felix, which already sounds suspicious enough to make me believe he cheated, and now this?"
His voice rose louder.
He looked toward the other Elders searching for agreement, but most of them only narrowed their eyes at him.
Only Elder Branthwaite seemed to partially agree.
"So, you mean…"
Elder Paul slowly raised a brow.
