The flickering glow of enchanted lanterns bathed the room in an eerie, orange light. The underground cell beneath the castle was dim, and the shadows seemed to shift along the cold stone walls as if alive, watching the ongoing interrogation. Queen Elowen Nyphara stood at the center, her posture regal despite the darkness around her. Beside her stood Vyrelda, her most trusted knight, and around them, several other knights stood in silence, their expressions hidden by the dimness of the room.
The maid, Amara, was shackled to a chair in front of them. Her hair was disheveled, her face pale, and her eyes darted around the room, seeking an escape that did not exist. The fear in her gaze was unmistakable, and her trembling lips formed silent pleas for mercy.
