The royal castle did not sleep that night.
Not a single soul.
What had begun as a refined evening dinner had spiraled into a full-scale internal purge, and every corridor, every chamber, every shadow of the ancient walls carried the tension of something far darker than a simple poisoning attempt.
Guards moved in coordinated silence, their armor barely making a sound as they swept through the castle with ruthless efficiency, opening doors without hesitation, searching every room, every drawer, every hidden compartment, as if the very stones themselves could be hiding betrayal.
Servants were gathered, questioned, dismissed, then questioned again.
Council members were no exception.
No rank.
No privilege.
No protection.
Because tonight—
Trust had been shattered.
And suspicion ruled.
