In a third person narration by the narrator.....
King Magnus sat behind his massive oak desk, staring out the tall window of his private study. The morning sun cast long shadows across the room, but his mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of last night's feast over and over again. His son's reaction to the maid's humiliation had been... unexpected.
Magnus had ruled the Northern Kingdom for thirty-seven years. He had survived three assassination attempts, put down two rebellions, and eliminated countless threats to his throne. He had learned long ago that survival depended on one crucial skill: reading people.
And what he had seen in Adrian's eyes last night troubled him deeply.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. "Enter."
Captain Thorne stepped into the study, his scarred face serious as always. The man had served as Magnus's personal guard and trusted advisor for over twenty years. If anyone could be counted on for discretion, it was him.
