Once Goddess Auriel, Princess Evelyn, and Carol had left, Duchess Amara lingered in her grand estate, her thoughts briefly wandering to the trio and their dynamic.
Despite her easy smiles and flirtatious remarks, the duchess had a keen mind and an eye for unusual occurrences. Something about the bandits they had captured felt… off.
As she mulled over her suspicions, one of her senior maids approached with a worried expression.
"Your Grace, there's something strange happening with the prisoners in the dungeon."
The maid reported, her voice shaking slightly.
"What do you mean 'strange'?"
Amara asked, her tone sharpening with concern.
"The guards say the bandits have been muttering incomprehensible words. They've refused food and water, and the air in the dungeon feels heavy, almost… unnatural."
