The palace, once a place of grandeur and celebration, had become a labyrinth of shadows where every smile hid a dagger and every word carried a double meaning.
With Lady Elara's guidance, I began to understand the delicate balance of power — the alliances forged in silence, the grudges buried beneath polite nods. The nobles played their games expertly, weaving webs that could trap even the most cautious.
Kael's visits became more frequent, less formal. His usual arrogance softened when we were alone, replaced by a rare vulnerability I struggled to decipher.
One evening, in the quiet of the library, he confided in me. "There are forces at court that even I cannot control."
I looked at him, surprised. "Even the Crown Prince has enemies?"
He nodded. "More than you know. And some of them wear the masks of friends."
Our hands brushed as he handed me a folded parchment — a secret list of names linked to the plot against him.
"I trust you, Livianna. But trust is dangerous here."
His words lingered between us, heavy with meaning.
I realized then that surviving this world meant more than wit and caution — it meant choosing alliances wisely, and perhaps, embracing the dangerous dance of power myself.