Chapter 2: The Puppet Master’s Game
Lord Vane, a wealthy guest known for his cruelty, sneered at Elara as she stumbled. "Watch your step, servant. If you ruin my silk, your wages for the year won't cover the cost." He kicked her foot, laughing as the gold tray tilted. He thought he was the master of this room, a man of status who could crush anyone beneath his heel. He didn't know he was merely a pawn in a much larger, darker game.
Elara’s mind raced. Midnight was two hours away. The palace was currently a fortress of shifting loyalties. The messenger, a man named Kael, watched her from the shadows. He had been a knight of the old guard, living in the sewers and alleys, waiting for the girl with the royal mark to mature. He knew what Vane didn't: that the palace was currently occupied by an elite squad of assassins, the "Shadow-Stalkers," who had been hired to find the last heir and erase her.
"They aren't here for the wine," Kael murmured, appearing suddenly at her side. "They are here for your head. The king's death has triggered the final clause. Without a coronation, the house of Solari ceases to exist—and by law, every drop of royal blood must be spilled to ensure the transition of power."
