By dawn, the entire palace knew.
Prince Cassian had become the face of the investigation.
Whispers followed him through every corridor.
“They found the sheath in his room.”
“The dagger was forged for him.”
“Maybe he wanted the throne all along.”
No one said those words to his face.
But everyone said them when they thought he couldn’t hear.
Cassian walked through the palace with his head held high, pretending the rumors didn’t matter.
Inside…
Each whisper felt like another blade.
The Royal Council gathered before sunrise.
The atmosphere inside the throne room was heavy enough to suffocate.
Every noble wanted answers.
Every lord demanded justice.
And every eye eventually turned toward Cassian.
Lord Edric, the oldest council member, rose from his seat.
“The evidence speaks fo
