"Father, I'm scared."
King Zarek looked up from his morning reports, his fork pausing halfway to his mouth. Saphira stood in the doorway of his private dining room, her young face pale and drawn. She twisted her hands together nervously.
"Scared? Of what?" The king's voice held more irritation than concern.
Saphira stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "I heard the servants talking last night. About strange meetings in the west wing. About nobles gathering in secret." She moved closer to his table. "Is it true? Is someone plotting against our family?"
Zarek set down his fork, his expression sharpening. "What exactly did you hear?"
"Not much. The servants stopped talking when they saw me. But they looked frightened, Father. And they mentioned Lord Marek's name. And a lady from t
