The Festival’s Mask

The Festival’s Mask

The halls of King Idris’s palace glittered under the glow of hundreds of lanterns, casting warm light over the revelers as the grand festival stretched into its second night. Music filled the air, and the scent of exotic spices wafted through the corridors. Laughter and celebration echoed off the polished marble floors, but Seraphina’s unease only deepened with every passing hour.

From her vantage point at the edge of the grand hall, she watched the courtiers move about, their laughter sounding hollow, their gestures too exaggerated. A performance, she thought, her sharp eyes narrowing as she scanned the room. Something was wrong here. Beneath the layers of extravagance and hospitality, Seraphina felt a shadow lurking—an unseen force watching her, waiting for her to make the wrong move.

“Enjoying the festivities, Your Majesty?” A voice interrupted her thoughts. It was one of Idris’s advisors, a man named Oran, his eyes gleaming with false warmth.