They reached it.
The throne room doors stood open.
Inside, the vast chamber stretched wide beneath a high vaulted ceiling, the grandeur of it impossible to ignore even now. At the far end stood four thrones upon a raised platform— ornate, carved, meant to symbolize stability and power.
But something was wrong.
Only three were occupied.
Two young princesses sat side by side, their composure shattered, hands clenched tightly in their laps as they tried— and failed— to remain still. Beside them, a young prince… no older than eleven— sat rigid, shoulders trembling despite the effort to hold himself together, his gaze fixed forward like moving might make everything worse.
The fourth throne—
Empty.
The man's eyes lingered on it for half a second.
Then—
A door at the side of the chamber burst open.
All heads turned.
The King stepped through.
Not escorted.
Not announced.
Just… there.
