The music stopped mid-note.
The elegant ballroom, once alive with laughter and dancing, grew silent as the sky beyond the arched windows turned an ominous black.
At first, people simply stared, murmuring in confusion. Then the whispers turned to nervous questions.
"What is that?"
"Is it a storm?"
"Why did it get dark so suddenly?"
From the garden to the balconies, nobles craned their necks toward the heavens, baffled.
Some stepped back inside, others cautiously tiptoed toward the doorways, hesitant to leave shelter but drawn by curiosity.
"Should we… go outside? Check what's happening?"
A young knight asked aloud.
"No."
Kyle said firmly, before anyone could act on the thought.
He stepped forward, his voice cutting cleanly through the murmurs. Even without shouting, people listened.
The Grand Duchess turned to him sharply.
"You recognize this, don't you?"
Kyle nodded, eyes fixed on the unnatural darkness above them.
