The room was too small for a victory.
Lyra sat between her adviser and a cupboard full of old land instruments. Celia sat opposite with her own adviser. Cobb had left the window open, and the smell of bread drifted up from the kitchens while the clerk distributed the proposed settlement.
Lyra read the housing clauses first.
Registered protections would continue. The interim arrangements for ordinary dependent support would remain funded. Restitution would receive a defined allocation. Then came the succession provision.
Her name. Sole successor.
She read it again more slowly.
Across the table, Celia had reached the allowance offered in return for withdrawal of her claim. She did not look pleased.
The confidentiality section followed.
