Nikolai slumped on his seat. It was noon indicating it was time for Professor Nadriel's history class. Markolin followed, sitting on his left and Vysela, occupying the seat next to the vacant one between her and Markolin. He glanced to the place where Allyria used to sit. A lot has changed since she disappeared. The castle became busier than it already is—making weapons, training soldiers, the King and the Queen holding meetings here and there. It was a lavish version for a prison.
Nikolai wanted to be involved with the castle's affairs but there were times when the queen mother would prefer to keep them in the dark. They don't even know what's happening—why there are wounded soldiers coming from a battle they aren't aware of a few weeks ago, why there are so many preparations, why the gold that was supposed to go to the community has been funded for war etc.
