The palace had become unbearably quiet. Not because the servants stopped speaking. If anything, they spoke more now.
Lucian could feel it the moment he stepped out of his chambers.
Whispers drifted through the corridors like smoke.
Every servant that passed him lowered their eyes too quickly. Some bowed too deeply. Some looked at him with open pity. Others looked terrified.
And a few-
A few looked like they already knew something they were not supposed to know.
Lucian noticed every single one.
He walked through the eastern corridor with measured steps, dark hair tied loosely behind him, the morning light pouring through the palace windows and painting pale gold across the marble floors.
The assassination attempt had happened only days ago.
Officially, the palace called it an unfortunate attack by unknown intruders.
Unofficially?
The entire imperial household was acting like a ghost had clawed its way out of a grave.
