Two days later, Henry stood by the wide windows of Hidden Stone Castle, watching the village come to life. People moved busily through the streets. Laughter and chatter filled the air, a sound that became rare after the blood of dozens of guards washed these streets.
Despite the slow pace, life was returning to these streets. It hadn't taken long for the people to adjust to this new order, one without nobles, where laughter no longer felt like a luxury.
Behind Henry, the heavy wooden door creaked open. Leier entered, moving as silently as ever, but to Henry, her footsteps were as clear as the wind and the laughter outside.
"Did you spot them?" Henry asked, turning away from the window and walking toward the table. He picked up a cup filled with the dark, bitter drink Luna had introduced to him, something close to coffee from Earth, and took a slow sip.
