บท 42: A Game of Secrets

(King's Point of View)

The banquet had begun, and I hadn't seen her yet. I stood on the balcony above the stage, hidden in the shadows. From here, I could see everything—the bustling crowd, the glittering decorations, and the eager faces of the new recruits as they mingled and waited for the ceremony to begin. My heart pounded with anticipation, and I found myself searching the room for her. Bart approached me from behind, his footsteps barely audible over the din below.

"Where is she?" I kept my gaze steady, scanning the sea of faces below.

"I'm sure she will be here soon."

"When will the ceremony begin?" I glanced at the ornate clock mounted on the wall.

 "It's about to begin. She should be here momentarily, if she's not here already."