Renna glided into the ballroom, making sure people could see her, but trying to keep out of Florianne's sight. So far, the duchess did not seem to be aware of her presence. She felt a hand grasp her arm, and she turned right into Cullen's broad chest. She stepped back slightly, grateful for the umpteenth time that her silver mask hid her blush.
"Thank the Maker. Kierrai ran and told us that Florianne attacked you. What should we do? Celene will be making her speech soon." he asked, oblivious to her flustered state. She looked at the Empress, who was preparing to begin. Her eyes drifted over to the Duchess, who was not far from where Celene stood. She looked up at him.
"Wait here, Cullen. I think I'm going to have a word with the Grand Duchess. Publicly. In front of everyone." she replied drily. Cullen blinked at her.
"What? There's no time. The Empress will begin her speech at any moment." he argued. She stood on her toes and boldly planted a swift kiss on his cheek.
"Don't doubt me, darling." she said, heading for the center of the ballroom before he could respond. Florianne stood on the steps just below the Empress. All eyes were on Renna as she strode forward. Gasps filled the room as they realized that she was interrupting the Empress herself. "We owe the court one more show, Your Grace." she called. Florianne froze where she stood. She obviously hadn't expected her to survive her ambush.
"Inquisitor." she said with a touch of anger as she turned to face her. Renna smiled mischievously.
"The eyes of every noble in the empire are upon us, Your Grace. Do remember to smile." she replied sweetly. "This is your party, after all. You wouldn't want them to think you'd lost control." Her voice carried across the hall, and even the Empress was listening.
"Who would not be delighted to speak with you, Inquisitor?" Florianne asked, panic entering her cool tones. Renna tapped her chin.
"What was it that you said, Florianne? Oh, wait, I remember: 'All I needed was to keep you out of the ballroom long enough to strike.' That was it, wasn't it?" she probed. Every eye was on them, and even more people were filing in to hear the scandal. "When your archers failed to kill me in the garden, I feared you wouldn't save me this last dance." she tsk-ed. "It can be so simple to lose your good graces, though. You even framed your brother for murder." Gaspard removed his mask and stared with open shock at his sister. He looked torn apart. Renna hadn't forgotten that he was going to attack the palace that night anyway, but she would get to that later.
"I-" Florianne protested.
"It was an ambitious plan, I'll give you that. Celene, Gaspard, Briala, the Council of Heralds, all your enemies under one roof." Renna interrupted, shaking her head sadly. Florianne straightened.
"This is very entertaining, but you do not imagine anyone believes your wild stories." she stammered, quickly losing composure.
"That would be a matter for a judge to decide, cousin." Celene said coolly from atop the stairs. Florianne blanched and turned to her brother.
"Gaspard? You cannot believe this! You know I would never-" she pleaded. He looked at her with shame and turned his back on her, striding up the stairs. "Gaspard?" she asked as guards advanced on her. They grabbed her arms, to her dismay.
"You lost this fight ages ago, Your Grace. You're just the last to find out." Kierrai said, joining Renna on the floor. The duchess began to sob, but rage flooded her eyes.
"You! I could have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you, you Ferelden harlot!" she shouted at Kierrai. The Princess shrugged.
"It's entirely possible, but highly unlikely. The Inquisition was onto you the moment you asked the Inquisitor to dance." she retorted casually. Florianne struggled against the guards, screaming incoherently. Everyone gaped at her as she was forcefully dragged from the court.
"Your Imperial Majesty, I think we should speak in private. Elsewhere." Renna suggested. Celene nodded, and Renna followed her out to the balcony, where they were joined by Gaspard and Briala.
"Your sister attempted regicide in front of the entire court, Gaspard." Briala spat. Gaspard shook his head. He had replaced his mask, but his eyes were like that of a frightened animal.
"You're the spymaster. If anyone knew this atrocity was coming, it was you!" he argued. Briala folded her arms beneath her breasts.
"You don't deny your involvement." she pointed out. Renna thought he would strike her.
"I do deny it! I knew nothing of Florianne's plans. But you, you knew all along and did nothing!" he denied. She scoffed.
"I don't know which is better: That you think I'm all-seeing, or that you're trying to play innocent and failing." the elf taunted.
"Enough! I will not have bickering while Tevinter plots against our nation. For the safety of the Empire, I will have answers." Celene said in a soft voice, effectively cutting through all chatter. It was a quality Renna's mother had. She felt a pang of loneliness. She hadn't heard from her family once, even after she sent a letter assuring them of her safety. She shook her head to clear her mind.
"I wouldn't have caught Florianne in time without Briala's help." she said, only slightly exaggerating. Briala had the intelligence to not look surprised.
"You were working together?" Celene said in shock. Briala glanced at her.
"Of course." she replied drily.
"Thanks to Briala, Gaspard's mercenary captain will testify that he hired men to infiltrate the palace." Renna revealed. Celene chuckled mirthlessly.
"Hired thugs? I didn't expect you to stoop so low, cousin." she said, clearly offended. Gaspard scoffed.
"Don't be naive, Celene. The only difference between a mercenary and a common soldier is a uniform." he spat. Briala stepped toward Celene.
"Keep talking, Gaspard. Eventually you'll convince someone." she hissed.
"He also ordered his general to sneak troops into the Winter Palace. And was involved in the murder of a Council emissary." Renna added.
"I have done no such thing!" Gaspard fought. Renna ignored him. She needed this over with.
"Briala found all of this out for your sake, Celene." she implored. Celene was quiet for a moment. She closed icy blue eyes before speaking.
"In light of overwhelming evidence, we have no choice but to declare you an enemy of the Empire. You are hereby sentenced to death." she said. Renna saw how hard it was for Celene to have two members of her family removed in one night, but sometimes harshness was needed. A pair of guards appeared to drag him off.
"I think ambassador Briala deserves some reward for uncovering all this." Renna nudged. Celene's eyes warmed when she looked at the elf.
"I can scarcely believe you did all this for me..." the Empress breathed. Briala's eyes twinkled.
"Celene..." she whispered. Renna schooled her features, even though she wanted to smile at the rekindled love she was witnessing.
"Thank you, Inquisitor, for your efforts tonight. I owe you my life. And Orlais owes you its future. You have done so much. For my people and...for us." she said, sidling closer to Briala. The elf smiled and looked as though she were home again.
"We won't forget this." Briala promised. Renna bowed her head to the couple.
"It was my pleasure. The two of you deserve to be happy." she assured them. Celene smiled fondly at her old lover.
"We truly are. Come, stand with us, Inquisitor. We must give the good news to the nobility." she said, practically glowing. The trio stood atop the steps, gazing out at the people. "Lords and ladies of the court, this is a night for celebration! Those who sought to poison our empire with treason have been brought to justice! It is a new age for Orlais. We shall build a world in which all men and women live in harmony! Let the cornerstone of change be laid. I introduce the newest member of our court, Marquis Briala of the Dales." Celene cried, gesturing to an obviously shocked Briala. She regained her composure quickly.
"This is not just a victory in Halamshiral, or in the Empire, or for the elves alone! This is a victory for everyone! Over a thousand years ago in the Valarian Fields, elves and humans together defeated the Imperium! We can do so much more now! We are greater than our ancestors ever dreamed. Together we will start by destroying the enemy who took the Divine and tore the sky apart!" she finished. The crowd began to cheer in excitement.
"It will take all of us to defeat the enemy threatening our world!" Renna added, causing the cheers to become even more deafening.
"We are already working to find these Tevinter agents. Soon they will have no place to hide." Briala promised. Celene laughed cheerfully.
"But that is tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate our new-found fellowship. Let the festivities commence!" she said, causing the enthusiasm in the room to triple. Renna wanted to cover her ears to soften the roar. Instead, she disappeared out onto the balcony once more, needing fresh air.
"The Orlesian nobility makes drunken toasts to your victory, and you are not there to hear them?" a familiar voice said from behind the door. Renna arched an eyebrow at Morrigan as she joined her. "Do you tire so quickly of their congratulations, Inquisitor? 'Tis most fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf." she probed. Renna shrugged.
"I would have stayed, but it appears they ran out of punch. Positively scandalous." she said sadly, shaking her head. Morrigan laughed.
"Indeed? Let us see if you take this news as poorly. By Imperial decree, I have been named liason to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid. Including mine. Congratulations." she said, golden eyes testing for a reaction. Renna smiled politely.
"Welcome to the Inquisition, Morrigan." she said simply. The woman smiled.
"A most gracious response. I shall meet you at Skyhold." she agreed before leaving Renna alone on the terrace. She placed her head in her hands and leaned against the railing. It had been an exhausting evening.
"Everyone's been looking for you, you know." a warm voice said behind her. She smiled without looking up. "Things have calmed down for the moment. Are you all right?" Cullen asked, leaning beside her on the railing. She propped her head up on her chin.
"I'm just worn out. Tonight has been...very long. Too many revelations and machinations for my taste." she admitted. He laughed softly.
"For all of us, I think. I'm glad it's over. I'm...I'm glad you're safe." he revealed. She studied him, but said nothing. "I know it's foolish but...I was worried for you tonight." She smiled softly at him.
"I was worried too." she agreed. He stood up and looked at her with a smile that sent a spark of warmth into her abdomen.
"I may never get another chance like this, so I must ask..." he began before stepping back and reaching out a hand, bowing slightly. "May I have this dance, my lady?" he asked. Her eyes widened.
"I thought you didn't dance?" she pointed out, taking his hand anyway.
"For you, I'll try." he breathed. He stopped her and gently reached up to pull off her mask. "Beautiful." he whispered as he set the piece of silver aside. She did not even care that she was blushing as he swept her into his arms. They could barely hear the music that trickled out from inside, but it didn't matter to her. All that mattered was them, right there, in the moment where she knew she had fallen in love.