Velcon's Game Begins

The room was dimly lit, curtains drawn tight against the morning sun. A thick, heady scent of rare incense clung to the air—sharp, exotic, and heavy with secrets.

A cloaked man stepped inside and bowed low.

"Your Highness, Prince Velcon."

Velcon didn't look up from the ornate dagger he was slowly rotating in his gloved hand.

"What is it?"

"I bring news," the spy said, voice hushed, eyes scanning the shadows nervously.

"I thought it's important."

Velcon finally looked up, golden eyes narrowing with interest.

"Go on. What is it about?"

The spy stepped forward. "Last night, someone left the palace. His face was covered—I couldn't see who it was. So I followed him."

Velcon leaned back in his chair, voice cool and sharp.

"And? Where did he go?"

"To Lady Eva's residence," the spy replied. "He entered the house. I waited nearby to see who would come out in the morning."

"And?" Velcon's voice dropped a notch, laced with curiosity.

"This morning, a carriage arrived... and it was her husband, Kyel, who opened the door."

Velcon's brows drew together. "So it was... her husband."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Velcon laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. "Her husband is a commoner. Why would a man like him be at the palace at that hour? That's not possible."

His fingers tapped slowly against the dagger's hilt.

"And What time did he arrive at the palace?"

"I… I don't know," the spy admitted, lowering his head.

Velcon's eyes turned cold. "What do you mean, you don't know? Weren't you watching?"

"I was, Your Highness, I swear. But I never saw him enter the palace."

Velcon stood up slowly, gaze thoughtful.

"Interesting."

The spy hesitated, then added, "There's one more thing… I hadn't told you because I wasn't certain."

Velcon looked at him sharply.

"Speak."

"The night Lady Eva was attacked by Duke Malric Vane… her husband was at the palace then, too."

Velcon raised an eyebrow. "And what's strange about that?"

The spy swallowed. "The strange part is… I didn't see him enter that time either. It was like—he was already inside the palace. He just… appeared."

Velcon's expression darkened, a whisper of suspicion in his voice.

"Strange. Very strange."

He turned his back to the spy, staring at the flickering flames in the fireplace.

"And what of Emperor Eyan? Did you find anything useful?"

The spy shook his head. "Not yet, Your Highness. He's... guarded. Too guarded."

Velcon nodded slowly.

"Very well. You may go."

The spy bowed and slipped out as quietly as he had come.

---Silence returned.

Velcon remained still, staring into the flames, lips curling into a thin, calculating smile.

"A commoner… who moves like a shadow inside the imperial palace?"

He let out a low, deliberate breath.

"This game just became far more interesting."

He turned slightly, eyes narrowed in thought.

"I think," he murmured to himself, "I should speak to Lady Eva... the next time she visits the palace."