The throne room emptied slowly, courtiers and advisors dispersing after the ritual, leaving only a few lingering souls in the shadows. But I noticed them—those quiet, familiar faces etched with lines of hardship, remnants of my former life who had just pledged loyalty to me in blood. Among them was a young girl, her gaze unflinching, watching me with eyes wide and solemn. She clutched her mother’s hand, but her focus was unwavering, locked onto me with an intensity that pierced through the silence settling in the room.
I took a breath, feeling the weight of their presence as I stepped toward them, crossing the floor with slow, deliberate strides. They watched me approach, their expressions wary, as if unsure whether to hope or to fear. And yet, I saw in each of their faces the unspoken ne
