Suspicion gnawed at me as I stared at the unsheathed sword before me, its blade still glinting faintly with remnants of magic. There was no denying it—this sword had delivered the fatal blow to Prophet Eskim. Yet, as my mind spiraled, only one name came to me: Kiara. The thought felt impossible, absurd even, and yet it clung to me like a shadow.
"She can't do this, Your Majesty," Tae's shaky voice interrupted my thoughts.
I didn't respond immediately, my fingers drumming against the table as I mulled over the accusation.
"She can't," Tae repeated, her voice firmer now. "But she didn't leave her room. I checked myself."
"But she did," Gideon's voice cut through the tension, sharp and unyielding.
My gaze snapped to him. Normally, I would chastise anyone for speaking so forcefully out of turn, but this was Gideon—my trusted confidant, a man who had stood by me like a brother through the storms of life.
