Two days later, the palace shone like a jeweled lantern against the night sky with banners of Aurelis fluttering proudly along the stone terraces.
Lanternlight spilled through gilded arches as nobles swept into the Grand Hall in shimmering silks and polished armor.
The air seemed to hum with expectation as to what would happen this year at the Royal banquet especially after words went out that the king's supposedly dead son was alive and well.
The kingdom had not seen such tension since the War of Succession generations ago.
It was no surprise that beneath the string orchestra's warm notes, whispers curled like smoke beneath a door.
"Is it true? The Prince lives?"
"Nonsense—he was dead and buried long ago."
"Well, that's no longer the case."
"I heard from a reliable source that the Prince was cursed by madness and has since been locked away in the palace dungeon."
"What? How come you're so bold to utter such fabrication?"
