The shadows in the palace seemed to grow longer with each passing day. Nobles whispered of omens, of darkness spreading through the land. And in the council meetings, tension reached a breaking point.
At one such meeting, Elder Radomir slammed his fist on the table. "This is madness! The royal family plays with forces they cannot control, and the kingdom suffers for it!"
Margaret, ever the diplomat, tried to soothe the room. "We're taking every measure to ensure the kingdom's safety. The Shadowstone is a tool, not a threat."
But Radomir pointed a finger at Leila. "And what of her? She has no place in these halls. Why should we trust someone who isn't of royal blood?"
Leila's face burned with humiliation, but before she could speak, Anya rose.
"Leila is here because she's earned her place," Anya said coldly. "If anyone questions that, they can answer to me."
Radomir scoffed but said no more. The tension, however, lingered like a storm cloud over the chamber