Saintess Marienne stood by the stained-glass window of the royal solar, watching the sun pour golden light onto the marble floor.
Outside, the capital of Hyparia stirred lazily to life, unaware that doom crept ever closer with each breath.
Within the palace walls, however, paranoia simmered like a fever. And she was trapped in its heart.
A soft knock on the door jolted her from her thoughts. It opened without waiting.
"Saintess Marienne, His Majesty requests your presence," said the page, not meeting her eyes. No one did anymore.
Marienne smoothed her robes and followed, her mind churning. The king had summoned her four times that morning already.
Each time, the conversation spiraled into fear-driven nonsense: invisible assassins, visions of Claude at the gates, whispers that the palace guards were all traitors.
She suspected he hadn't slept in days. Everyone become scared, she even heard the whisper about impeachment of the King and it only added to His Majesty anxiety.
