Halvra moved through the servants' corridor like a ghost.
Her heart pounded violently as she slipped into the unused storage chamber behind the east wing—an old place, forgotten, untouched by inspection. Her fingers trembled as she pulled the small wrapped cloth from beneath her robe.
"Just until morning," she whispered. "Just until they blame the girl."
She reached for the loose stone she had prepared earlier.
"Looking for this?"
Halvra screamed.
Torches flared to life instantly. Guards emerged from shadows she had believed empty. Kallen stepped forward calmly, arms folded.
"You really should have chosen somewhere better," he said dryly.
Her legs gave out. The seal fell from her hands, clinking softly against stone.
Kallen picked it up, examining it once before signaling the guards. "Take her."
"No—!" Halvra sobbed. "I was told to— I was ordered—!"
Her voice broke as Raven stepped into the torchlight.
The air changed.
Raven did not raise his voice. He did not shout. His presence alone crushed the space.
"You will speak," he said coldly. "But not tonight."
Halvra collapsed fully, sobbing as she was dragged away.
Raven turned to Kallen. "Summon the court."
"At dawn?" Kallen asked.
Raven's eyes burned. "Now."
By the time the sun dared rise, the seal rested once more in its rightful place—and every enemy who planned to accuse the King would instead stand before him.
Unprepared.