The night was thick with anticipation as Kael and I moved silently through the corridors, shadows our only allies. The castle, once a grand symbol of power, now felt like a maze of danger and deception.
Our plan was simple yet perilous: confront the noble implicated in the hidden note and force a confession before the court. But nothing about this palace was ever simple.
In the grand hall, illuminated by flickering torches, we found Lord Marwick — a man whose charming facade barely concealed his ruthless ambition. His eyes flickered with surprise, quickly replaced by cold calculation.
"You dare accuse me?" His voice was icy, echoing off the stone walls.
Kael stepped forward, his tone unwavering. "We have proof, and witnesses. Your games end tonight."
A tense silence fell before chaos erupted. Marwick's guards drew swords, but the loyal palace guards, forewarned by Elara, quickly surrounded us.
Cornered and exposed, Marwick's mask shattered. He spat venomous lies, desperate to turn the court against us, but the truth had already taken root.
As the nobles watched, the fragile web of deceit began to unravel. I felt Kael's hand tighten around mine — a silent promise that we faced whatever came next, together.
The battle was far from over, but tonight, the mask had fallen.