After that night, rumors spread like wildfire.
By morning, every corner of the capital buzzed with one single scandal—the Everhart mansion had been attacked. Grand Duke Regis, one of the Empire's most powerful men, was nearly assassinated within the walls of his ancestral home.
But—fortunately—the Emperor went and saved them.
That was what everyone said. The shopkeepers. The nobility. The maids whispered in the corners of the palace halls when they thought no one was listening.
"The Emperor himself rode out in the dead of night!"
"I heard the Grand Duke was injured."
"An ambush! Right under our noses!"
"But His Majesty... he personally led the assault to rescue them—can you believe it?"
Their voices were always low. Always urgent. Like they were trying not to be caught by invisible ears.
But I heard them.
Last night was chaos after Papa had left immediately. The palace turned upside down in his absence—guards running, horses galloping into the darkness.
