The silence within the royal palace was deafening after the Crown Prince and his entourage departed. The rhythmic clatter of hooves had faded into the distance, leaving behind an eerie stillness that blanketed the halls. Azazel stood near the wide arched window, her sharp eyes watching the procession vanish into the night. Her lips curled into a sly smile. The time had come.
The king and queen remained in their chambers, oblivious to the impending chaos. The remaining nobles mingled in the grand hall, sipping wine and exchanging trivial words, their guards stationed lazily near the entrances. None of them suspected the storm brewing in the shadows.
