Chapter 276: Shadows of Sacrifice

**Thelma Zane’s Perspective** In the wake of the palace’s harrowing ordeal, someone had to be held accountable for the events that transpired. That someone turned out to be Layla. Though her bravery had saved lives and nearly brought resolution to the crisis, public opinion painted her as the culprit. Critics accused her of arrogance and negligence, claiming that her overconfidence had allowed the kidnappers to infiltrate the palace. Some insinuated that she had sought personal glory, asserting that the arrival of the army could have prevented the tragedy. Worst of all, whispers spread that she might have been in league with the wanderers from the start. The accusations piled up like stones, each one heavier than the last. No matter how baseless the rumors, they fed into a collective fury, and Layla became the scapegoat. Even though my parents, as the ruling monarchs, knew the truth and issued a public clarification to absolve her of wrongdoing, it did little to stem the tide