The news of the death of Isabella, fiancée of the imperial prince Julian, spread like wildfire throughout the empire of Alexandria.
People talked about it everywhere, in the great cities as well as in the most remote villages. The entire empire was gripped by a chilling shiver. Her assassination had plunged the Donoghan duchy into deep mourning.
The newspapers, operating tirelessly, lined up special editions upon special editions, their headlines constantly questioning the circumstances of the tragedy: how could such a crime strike so close to the heart of power? An anxiety seemed to weigh on the shoulders of all citizens. After all, if a personality of that stature could be killed so easily, then what about ordinary commoners who had no one to protect them?
