I moved cautiously through the side corridors of the castle, my basket of produce held firmly in one hand. Every step was calculated, every glance deliberate. I wasn’t here just to deliver vegetables—I was here to observe, to listen. The disguise as a delivery woman was simple yet effective. It allowed me to blend in with the castle staff, appearing as nothing more than a farmer’s daughter, part of the quiet background.
The air inside was heavy, filled with whispers and urgent conversations that seemed to linger just out of reach. It was different than my previous visits; there was a tension I hadn’t sensed before, a subtle thrum of anticipation. I stopped near a stone alcove, lowering my head as I adjusted my basket, keeping my ears alert.
A pair of servants walked past, speaking in hus
