Seb-hekh-sat's mind raced with concern as he scanned the crowded hall, searching for any glimpse of Cybele's familiar presence. The air in the chamber was thick with the fragrance of perfumed oils and the lively chatter of nobles, but an uneasy tension gripped the prince.The throne room, adorned with golden embellishments and intricate hieroglyphs, served as the backdrop to his growing apprehension. The opulence that surrounded him felt hollow, the grandeur of his position unable to dispel the gnawing worry that clawed at his thoughts."Have you seen Cybele?" he inquired of his closest advisor, a trusted confidant named Ra'khim. The man, with a meticulously groomed beard and an air of stoic loyalty, responded with a shake of his head."No, my Prince. She was not among the guests when I last
