The Capital didn't take long to ignite.
It started with murmurs in the crowd, confused and angry voices spreading through the gathering. People who had been bowing their heads moments ago were now looking at each other, then at the Emperor, then at the metal plate Holden had held up for every crystal camera in the Kingdom to see.
Then someone threw a shoe.
It sailed over the reporters' heads and bounced off the podium near the Emperor's feet. It was a small, almost ridiculous act, but something about it broke the tension holding the crowd together.
"Murderer!"
"You tried to kill kids!"
"The Crown is corrupt!"
"DOWN WITH THE THRONE!"
The shouts multiplied. The solemn gathering became a mass of anger as people pushed forward and the Royal Guards formed a defensive ring around the podium. Their hands moved to their weapons, but even they looked uncertain about what to do.
