The day had arrived, though the air was thick with dread rather than excitement. Ever since King Renfell's death, the kingdom had been enveloped in fear, as if the darkness itself had taken root in the hearts of the people. Everyone knew that Prince Valen, now crowned king, had been touched by that darkness. His mind was no longer his own, they said, and his rule brought nothing but uncertainty. But despite the rumors and the creeping dread, the royal summons could not be ignored. The selection for the new king's stewards would take place in the market square, and every able body was required to attend.
I woke up later than I intended that morning, and my heart sank as I realized I had overslept. My chance to enter the palace—my only chance—was slipping through my fingers. The selection process had likely already begun, and I had no time to waste. I dressed hurriedly, fumbling with my clothes as I rushed to prepare. Hei Hei stood beside me, her eyes steady, watching me with a calm that only heightened my anxiety.
"We're late, Hei Hei!" I muttered, throwing on my cloak. "We have to go, now!"
I rushed through the narrow streets, my heart racing with every step. The streets, usually bustling with life, were eerily quiet this morning. Shops were closed, and people moved quickly, heads down, unwilling to meet each other's eyes. Fear gripped the kingdom tightly, as though it were a physical force that pressed down on everything and everyone. It didn't help that Prince Valen had become a recluse since taking the throne, his absence only fueling the rumors that the darkness had fully claimed him.
The selection was happening in the market square, and I pushed through the growing crowds, my chest tight with fear that I had missed my chance. When I finally reached the square, I could see that the process was already well underway. The prince, as expected, was not there—he had sent his assistant in his place, likely to avoid further alarming the people. The assistant stood at the front, flanked by soldiers, his voice ringing out as he tried to entice people into service with promises of gold and land.
But few were stepping forward.
The fear was palpable, thick in the air as people whispered to one another. No one wanted to work in the palace anymore, not with the darkness looming over it like a curse. Even with the promises of riches, most stayed where they were, unwilling to risk their lives for a king who was no longer trusted.
I took a deep breath, pushing my way closer to the front of the crowd. If I wanted to enter the palace, I had to act now. My lateness had already put me on edge, and the tension in the square only made things worse. As I made my way forward, my heart raced, my mind spinning with everything that was at stake. But then, something caught my eye—a face in the crowd that I recognized.
The assistant.
His gaze swept across the gathered crowd, but when his eyes landed on me, there was a flicker of recognition. I stiffened, trying to remain calm as I realized who he was. It was the same man I had encountered days ago while pretending to be a peddler, trying to gather information about the creeping darkness. He narrowed his eyes, and I knew immediately that he remembered me.
He motioned for me to come forward, and I felt a lump form in my throat. There was no turning back now. I stepped out of the crowd, walking toward him with as much confidence as I could muster. The tension in the air was almost suffocating.
"You," he said, his voice low but sharp. "I've seen you before."
My mind raced, trying to come up with a convincing story. I couldn't afford to let him see through me. I forced a smile, doing my best to appear casual. "You might have, sir. I travel through the kingdom often. Maybe you saw me at one of the markets."
The assistant's gaze lingered on me, clearly suspicious. "No," he said slowly, "it wasn't just a passing glance. You were a peddler. Selling goods."
I bowed my head slightly, pretending to be meek. "Yes, sir. I remember now. I was selling some goods in the market a few days ago. I'm a humble peddler—Mara's the name."
"Mara," he repeated, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. "And what brings you here, Mara? Looking for work in the palace?"
"Of course," I replied, trying to sound eager. "The king's service is an honor. I'd be proud to work in the palace."
His eyes flicked over me, clearly unconvinced by my words. "Many would disagree with you," he said quietly. "The rumors have spread, haven't they? About the darkness. About the king. You're not afraid?"
"I've heard the rumors," I said carefully, "but danger doesn't scare me. There's always risk, no matter where you go. And serving the king… well, that's an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
He studied me for a long moment, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to hold his gaze without faltering. The lies I had spun were starting to tangle, and I could feel myself slipping. He wasn't buying it. Not entirely.
"And your peddling business?" he asked suddenly. "What happens to that?"
I hesitated, my mind scrambling to keep up with the lies. "Well, with the state of things… it's been difficult to make a living. The darkness has spread, and people aren't buying like they used to. I figured it was time for a change. A fresh start in the palace."
The assistant raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with my response. "A fresh start," he repeated, his tone skeptical. "Convenient."
I felt the blood drain from my face. He was seeing right through me, and I was running out of lies. Panic flared in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm. There was no way I could let him uncover my true identity.
Before he could ask any more questions, a commotion erupted from the crowd. A man stepped forward, loudly protesting that he had been forced into the selection by his family. The distraction was enough to pull the assistant's attention away from me, and I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. The universe, it seemed, had heard my silent plea.
The assistant turned back to me, his gaze sharp but distracted. "Very well," he said, his voice clipped. "If you're willing to serve, step forward."
I did as he asked, moving to join the small group of recruits who had been brave—or desperate—enough to offer their service. My heart raced in my chest, but I kept my expression calm. This was my chance, and I wasn't going to let anything stand in my way.
As the selection continued, I couldn't help but notice the others who had stepped forward. Most were men, drawn in by the promise of wealth despite the danger. But there were a few women among us. One was a girl, barely older than sixteen, whose guardian had publicly pushed her toward the selection with such hatred in his eyes that it sent a chill down my spine. He didn't even try to hide the fact that he wanted her gone, didn't care if she lived or died inside the palace.
Another woman, in her forties, stepped forward willingly. She carried herself with a quiet resolve, as if she had already made peace with whatever fate awaited her inside the palace. Her presence was steady, calm, like a rock in the middle of a storm. I found myself wondering what had brought her here—what kind of life she was leaving behind in exchange for the uncertainty that lay ahead.
There were a few others, their expressions a mix of fear and determination, but the group was small. Too small for the assistant's liking, I could tell. He had been expecting more, but the fear of the darkness had driven most people away. Those who remained were either desperate or too brave for their own good.
Once the selection was over, the assistant ordered the soldiers to escort us to the palace. The tension in the air was still thick, and I could feel the weight of the assistant's gaze on me as we began our march toward the palace gates. He hadn't given up on me—not entirely. He could sense that I wasn't just the ordinary peddler I claimed to be. I had to be careful. Very careful.
As we walked, I glanced at Hei Hei, who remained by my side, her calm presence grounding me. Whatever was waiting for us inside the palace, I knew we had a long road ahead. But I had made it. I was inside. And now, I could begin to uncover the truth about the darkness and my role in the kingdom's fate.
The palace gates loomed ahead, tall and foreboding, shrouded in the shadow of the late afternoon sun. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. This was just the beginning.