The cool night air caressed David's chest as it passed over the estate's stone walls, carrying with it the fresh scent of dew settling on the grass. His black shirt billowed loosely around him, open at the front, allowing the breeze to kiss his skin. The night was calm, yet the weight of the earlier gathering still hung in the air. The assembly had been dismissed, but David's mind was racing.
As the Earl had instructed, David, Ashley, and Noelle were to meet with him on a later date to claim their personal wishes. The promise lingered in the back of David's thoughts, but his focus had already shifted. The Earl had also declared that the coming-of-age trials would continue, despite the significant loss of contestants. He had vowed to personally oversee them, ensuring the safety of those who remained. The gravity of the situation hung over the estate, but for David, the future was all about power.
