Nobles in their opulent attire flowed out of the castle gates like a stream of decadence, each face painted with a myriad of masked expressions, equal parts intrigue and disdain.
They shuffled into their awaiting carriages, eager to escape the cold, their jeweled garments shimmering under the sparse crystal light. The final trial of David De Gor had come to an end, and whispers of what they had witnessed lingered in the air like a bitter aftertaste. Elder Maison stood among the nobles, his eyes narrowing as he watched the haughty figure of his son, Shuan, stride toward the carriages with a smirk curling on his lips.
Maison moved forward, his voice low and stern as he addressed his son. "A foolish display the day before, Shuan. Challenging David during the second trial was reckless. The Earl may have taken no offence, but your actions were both unwise and unbecoming of our bloodline."
