The courtyard was no longer a private affair.
Dozens of glowing orbs floated in the air—recording, transmitting, broadcasting.
Reporters in fine robes whispered into voice-crystals, and noble families arrived in waves, their carriages forming lines outside the palace walls.
The crowd had doubled… then tripled.
All because of a single bet.
Kael stood alone beside the weapons rack, running his fingers along the blades—testing their weight, balance, sharpness.
He selected a plain longsword.
Unenchanted. Unmarked.
Yue floated lazily beside him, arms crossed.
Kael didn't look at her.
"He must be watching by now."
Yue raised an eyebrow.
"He? You mean the King?"
Kael gave a faint nod.
Yue drifted higher, her gaze sweeping toward the court's upper windows.
She paused.
"…Not just the King."
The balconies and glass corridors were packed.
Nobles, knights, advisors—even servants pressed in for a glimpse.
