The knight stride purposefully down the stone-paved corridor, coming to a halt before a set of heavy wooden doors. The dark passage was dimly lit by the faint glow of oil lamps, while cold moonlight spilled through the grand lancet windows.

“Announce me,” he instructed the servant stationed at the entrance.

“Sir Graystorm, Your Majesty!”

The doors swung open. The spacious chamber, shrouded in the flicker of candlelight, was strewn with maps, documents, and heavy tomes. Among the men huddled over a strategic map, the young king stood out. Ashheim Ravenholt had ascended the throne only recently following his father's sudden death, and the weight of the crown already cast a grim shadow over his features. He raised his gaze to the newcomer.

“House Paterson has fallen, Your Majesty. Word from the south confirms the death of Lord Howard and the capture of Lord Phillips.”

“Genuinely good news. It is time we made our move,” Ashheim said, his sword clicking into its sheath.

Flanked by his retinue, the king departed his chambers. The knights awaiting his command in the courtyard mounted their horses, the dull thunder of hooves echoing through the night streets of the capital.

Queen Adelissa Ravenholt stood by a tall window. Her fingers dug painfully into the carved signet of the Goddess, her lips moving in a relentless, silent prayer. Her face was pale and drawn tight with strain.

“Your Majesty, you ought to rest,” a gray-haired gentlewoman said softly, draping a warm shawl over the queen's shoulders. “Do not torment yourself so. His Majesty will return unharmed.”

The queen slowly relaxed her grip.

“Do you truly think it is the king I worry for?”

Her blue eyes looked dull, drained of life.

“What of House Fornweir? Has the Marquis surrendered?” Her voice trembled. Unable to keep her feet, she sank helplessly onto the bed, her hands clutching at the coverlet.

The servant remained silent, casting her eyes downward.

“The king gave his word... Ashheim promised he wouldn't touch them!” Adelissa’s voice broke under the crushing strain of recent days.

“If your father surrenders, I will spare House Fornweir. Your brothers and sister will live. You will retain your status. You have my word.” The king’s promise echoed in her mind.

“If only he doesn't fight back... Rose, I need to see my maid!”

“No, Your Majesty,” Mrs. Lawson interrupted, her tone gentle yet unyielding. “His Majesty has strictly forbidden you from contacting anyone brought from your home estate. Once this is all over, I shall fetch you new servants.”

The young queen buried her face in her hands. She could no longer hold back, and hot tears streamed down her cheeks.

Ashheim dismounted, tossing the reins to an approaching servant. The king looked dead tired, fresh blood dark against his armor.

“Prepare a bath and summon the healer!” the head servant commanded.

“There is no need. The blood isn’t mine.”

“But Your Majesty!”

“Enough. I am exhausted - do not waste my strength.”

Ashheim strode quickly toward his study, only to pull up short. A figure huddled on the floor by his door instantly scrambled to her feet, her face having been hidden against her knees.

“Queen Adelissa...” he stammered.

Her unkempt blonde hair fell messily over her shoulders, her eyes swollen from weeping. She took a step toward her husband, then froze, the question catching in her throat.

“Marquis Fornweir and his heir are dead,” Ashheim said quietly, answering the unasked question. “Your father and eldest brother refused to yield. Adrian has been taken into custody.”

Adelissa felt the ground slip away beneath her feet. Her remaining strength failed her, and she would have collapsed onto the stone floor had Ashheim not caught her in time.

“Forgive me...” the king whispered, unable to find the words to console her. “This all came to pass... because I had to claim the throne.”

The king knelt over his wife’s cold body, refusing to accept the reality before him. In the room's twilight, Adelissa looked merely asleep. If he reached out to touch her cheek, she would open her eyes and smile just as she used to. But her skin was ice.

Just open your eyes... Just live... I will never disturb your happiness again.

Adelissa did not answer. Her lifeless body lay still in the ominous silence of the bedchamber.