In a room adjacent to the castle's main garden stood the grand chambers of the Marcel family. Inside a vast hall that served as their private gathering space, Marcel had summoned a short but urgent meeting.
The call wasn't exactly surprising. With the Emperor's sudden declaration of a public hearing for the people of Eldrador, everyone could guess it had something to do with royal matters.
Obviously, the issue of an heir.
On the surface, things might've appeared calm, but behind closed doors, a war was brewing within the Nightshade family—a dangerous, all-consuming war.
Marcel sat in his usual seat, an elegantly carved chair that, while modest in height, radiated quiet authority. The rest of the family entered one after the other, each coming from different parts of the estate.
