CHAPTER 114
The corridors of the palace seemed narrower than usual. Grace walked through them with her cloak trailing, her steps heavy, though she tried to carry herself with authority. Every corner she turned, every servant she passed, she could feel the silence pressing against her. No one dared speak, but their silence was louder than words.
When she entered the main hall, the council was already gathered. They rose to greet her, yet their movements were stiff, their eyes cautious. Grace took her seat, forcing calm into her voice.
"Speak. What reports do you bring today?"
One elder stepped forward, hands folded. "The villages on the northern edge continue to murmur. Some ask why the King has delayed war, while others ask why shadows follow our halls at night." His voice lowered, almost to a whisper. "They say ghosts walk with us."
