The kingdom of Eryndell stood as a testament to both grandeur and fragility. Its cobbled streets wove tales of prosperity, but its shadows whispered darker truths—betrayal, rebellion, and the burden of hidden names.

Beneath the gray skies, the market square teemed with life. Vendors shouted over one another, children darted through the crowd, and weary travelers haggled for warm meals. No one noticed the lone figure slipping through the throng, her golden hair concealed beneath a hood. Her steps were deliberate, her eyes scanning the faces around her with an unnatural calm.

She paused at a fruit stall, picking up an apple and holding it as if weighing more than its physical weight. The vendor scowled when she lingered too long, but the silent girl's presence carried an unspoken deterrence. A coin clinked against the wooden counter, and she was gone before the merchant could thank—or scold—her.

She blended into the shadows at the edge of the market, her blue eyes watching, waiting.

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Eryndell Castle

King Silver sat in his private study, the grand expanse of the room cluttered with maps, letters, and books that spoke of a ruler constantly at war—if not with enemies, then with time. His hand rested on a letter addressed to the Council of Crowns, but his mind was elsewhere, retracing the events of that morning.

The blade had come too close. The assassin's face, twisted with hatred, burned in his memory.

"It was no common attack," he said, his voice steady. Across from him, a figure leaned against the window, his presence both casual and sharp.

Coal, a distant cousin and exiled Crown, let out a low whistle. "You're sure?"

Silver's gaze darkened. "I recognized his sigil. He bore the mark of the House of Fellmar."

Coal raised a brow, stepping closer. "Traitors of the bloodline," he murmured, his tone faintly amused. "Interesting how they've grown bold enough to move in daylight. Your father's old enemies must be getting desperate—or confident."

The king's lips pressed into a thin line. "They've never accepted my rule. They believe the throne is theirs to reclaim. I can't let this fester."

"And yet you called for me," Coal said, a grin tugging at his lips. "An exiled Crown, marked by scandal. What will your Council think?"

Silver leaned forward, his tone low but commanding. "They'll think I'm a fool. Until they see what I've done. I need your mind, Coal. Your strategy. The Fellmars won't stop until the crown is theirs or the bloodline is gone."

Coal studied him for a long moment, the flicker of mischief in his eyes replaced by something harder, sharper. "Fine," he said at last. "But if this backfires, I'm pinning it all on you."

Silver smirked. "Deal."

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Eryndell University, Canteen

The cafeteria hummed with life, students crowded around tables or standing in long lines for food. The smell of freshly baked bread mingled with the sharp tang of coffee, creating an atmosphere both chaotic and comforting.

Loot stirred his soup, his spoon clinking against the bowl. Across from him, Lux toyed with her slate device, scrolling through messages with practiced indifference.

"So," Loot began, awkwardly breaking the silence. "You heard about the alumni party?"

Lux glanced up, raising a brow. "Yeah. They're saying Sarya might show up. Not sure I buy it, though."

"You don't think she'd come to Eryndell?"

"I think," Lux said, leaning back in her chair, "that someone like Sarya has better things to do than relive her school days here. But who knows? Maybe she'll surprise us."

Their small talk was interrupted by a sudden shift in the room's energy. Heads turned toward the television mounted in the corner, where the news anchor's voice cut through the din.

"This just in: an attempt was made on King Silver's life earlier today during his visit to Highgate. The king escaped with minor injuries, and the assailant is believed to be connected to the House of Fellmar…"

The anchor's voice continued, but the words seemed distant as murmurs spread through the room.

Loot leaned forward, his voice hushed. "That's…bold. Attacking the king in broad daylight?"

Lux frowned, her sharp green eyes narrowing. "The Fellmars haven't been quiet about their grudge, but this? Either they're desperate, or there's more to it."

"You think the party will be canceled?" Loot asked, earning an incredulous look from Lux.

"Seriously? The king almost got assassinated, and you're worried about a party?"

Loot shrugged, his cheeks reddening. "It's just…big news, you know?"

Lux sighed, glancing toward the screen one last time. "Big news, sure. But this kingdom's got bigger problems than a party."

Outside, the rain began to fall, the gray skies turning darker as the storm rolled in. Somewhere beyond the university walls, a girl with golden hair and blue eyes stood beneath the shelter of a crumbling archway, her apple untouched. Her eyes flicked toward the castle in the distance, her expression unreadable.

No one noticed her as she slipped back into the shadows, but she noticed everything.