As night fell over the De Gor estate, casting a serene hush over its towering walls, one section of the castle remained alive with chatter. In a particular quarter, where the female workers gathered after their duties, gossip flowed like wine.
The topics were usually varied—ranging from news outside the castle to how Eric, the Earl's son, was looking quite dashing lately. But tonight, all attention centred on one burning question: Why had they been forbidden from entering the garden section the day before?
Gathered around Shay's bed, the women speculated with wide-eyed curiosity. Some whispered about tremors they'd felt near the castle walls, setting off a ripple of nervous speculation.
"Do you think the castle was invaded?" one of the maids asked, her voice hushed and serious.
