That night, the palace breathed in exhaustion.
From the highest pavilion to the lowest servant quarters, an unusual heaviness settled over the entire imperial compound. The lanterns flickered weakly, their flames dimmer than usual, as though even fire itself felt tired.
Maidservants moved slowly through corridors, yawning behind their sleeves.
"I don't know why," one whispered to another, "but today felt longer than any other day."
"Me too," the second replied, rubbing her eyes. "My legs feel heavy. Even walking feels like climbing a mountain."
"Is it because of the festival preparations?"
"Maybe… but this tiredness feels strange."
Even the guards leaned against pillars for a brief moment longer than they were allowed. Their eyes stung with drowsiness, though none of them had worked harder than usual.
The palace had never felt like this before.
A suffocating sleepiness spread like invisible mist.
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The Empress Courtyard — Silence Before the Fall
