With shy, hesitant steps, I approached the Queen and bowed deeply. The blonde girl standing nearby, who had been quietly listening to the Queen and Nora’s conversation, turned her sharp gaze toward me. Her narrowed eyes studied my face, as though trying to place where she had seen me before—or perhaps trying to decipher the kind of person I was. Every couple of seconds, her eyes flicked back to me even as she refocused on the conversation.

Nora, noticing my presence, turned toward me. Her dark eyes landed squarely on mine, and a faint smile curved her lips. The Queen followed her gaze, pausing mid-sentence to offer Nora a sly grin. Though I couldn’t catch what was said, the faint laughter that followed as Nora covered her mouth suggested it wasn’t anything hostile.

“So this is the boy who saved you, huh,” Nora said finally, looking me over with the air of someone appraising livestock. “I expected him to be a bit bulkier.”

“The General saved the Queen, Your Highness,” I corrected quickly, keeping my voice steady. “I didn’t do anything worth mentioning.”

The Queen waved a hand, amused. “He has a problem with taking compliments. Just like every man I know.”

Nora’s smile deepened as her gaze sharpened. “Which class are you, boy? A? B? I heard about what you did to that forest.” She said, crossing her arms. “Hells, I even saw you in action. I was enjoying a quiet morning on my balcony, sipping coffee, when the forest disappeared before my eyes.”

My throat tightened. “I’m… F,” I admitted, my voice quieter now.

Nora’s smile faltered, her brows lifting in disbelief. “F? Are you mocking me?”

“Oh, he’s an F-class,” the Queen interjected, her tone laced with amusement. “I saw the papers myself. He doesn’t even have an affinity for magic.”

“But he has heart!” the General bellowed, stepping forward to clap me on the chest with enough force to make me stumble. The sharp ache made my breath hitch, though I tried to hide it. “With courage like his, there’s no obstacle he can’t overcome!”

“Is that so?” the blonde girl said, her voice calm yet inquisitive. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze steady as she regarded me. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before. Are you new here?”

“Yes, my lady,” I replied, standing a little straighter. “I’m from another country. Magic was forbidden there, so I’m only just starting to learn.”

Her brow furrowed slightly. “Which country?”

I had been prepared for this question. Summoning what little confidence I had, I answered, “Putra.”

Recognition showed in her eyes. Nora, meanwhile, frowned, her voice tinged with disappointment. “Putra? That broken country? Shame what’s happened there, but forbidding magic? That’s madness.”

I nodded gravely. “I lived in a secluded village, cut off from the world. The elders believed magic only brought destruction and forbade us from practicing it.”

“Fools,” Nora muttered, shaking her head. “Magic is a gift. It should be nurtured, not suppressed.”

Before I could respond, a sharp knock interrupted us. The Queen called out, giving permission for entry. The door opened, revealing a guard in full armor. He stepped inside quickly, his breath ragged as though he had run from some distant part of the palace.

“Your Highness,” the guard began, lowering his spear and bowing slightly. “I have news for the general. We’ve caught an elf. He’s being prepared for the hanging.”

“An elf?” the General growled, his expression hardening. “Damn them all. Don’t hang him just yet—I want a word with him first. Maybe I can… ‘persuade’ him to share the location of his friends.”

The guard hesitated. “We tried, sir. He wouldn’t talk.”

Stolen story; please report.

The General’s lips twisted into a cruel grin. “Let me try,” he said, already moving toward the door.

The Queen didn’t even look up as she gave a brief command. “Report back if you find anything.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the General replied. Turning to the guard, he added, “Get my tools ready. I’ll be there shortly.”

Their voices faded as the door clicked shut behind them.

I exhaled slowly, realizing I had been holding my breath. My heart was pounding, a mix of adrenaline and apprehension surging through me. I kept my expression neutral, but inwardly, I was bracing myself. Every word, every movement mattered here. One misstep and I could end up swinging from a rope alongside that elf. I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.

The three women near the throne walked toward the long table to the side of the room. I stayed where I was, hesitant to move until I knew what they expected of me. They each sat down, the Queen gesturing for me to take a seat as well. I nodded and walked to the empty chair, lowering myself carefully, trying to act as inconspicuous as possible.

As soon as we were seated, one of the guards knocked on the door, and within moments, it opened to reveal a line of maids carrying trays of food. They moved quickly, setting down steaming bowls of stew, plates of rice, and meats arranged with unnatural perfection. Glasses of wine glimmered in the soft light, alongside desserts I couldn’t begin to identify.

“Your cook must still be Killora, right? That strange man with the ridiculous mustache?” Nora asked, a playful smirk on her face.

The Queen’s expression darkened, her voice turning cold. “No. He isn’t. He never will be.”

“Oh? Why’s that?” Nora asked, tilting her head slightly.

“I’ll explain later,” the Queen replied, her tone curt as she brushed the topic aside.

I noticed how the blonde girl across from me tried to peer around the massive platters to steal glances at me. Her movements were subtle, but it was clear she was observing me, sizing me up for reasons I couldn’t guess.

Finally, the maids finished arranging the table and exited the room, bowing in unison. Nora and the girl both waited, their eyes on the Queen as if they wouldn’t dare take the first bite without her. The Queen picked up her wine glass, lifting it slightly.

“To Nu’tar,” she said.

“To Nu’tar,” Nora said, raising her own glass.

“To Nu’tar,” the blonde girl added, holding up a glass of juice.

Then they all turned to me, their gazes expectant. Startled, I hurriedly picked up my own glass—also filled with juice—and held it up. “To Nu’tar,” I muttered.

They seemed satisfied and took small sips before setting their glasses down. I mimicked them, unsure of what else to do.

The others began eating, their movements graceful as they navigated the tableware. I, however, was completely out of my depth. I didn’t even know how to cut meat with a knife, since there was no one there to teach me in my childhood. So, not wanting to embarrass myself, I plucked a single grape from a bowl and popped it into my mouth. The flavor exploded on my tongue, richer and sweeter than any fruit I’d ever tasted.

“You’re not eating much,” Nora said, her sharp eyes landing on me.

“I’m not very hungry, Your Highness,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Shame,” she said, slicing into her food with ease. “These meals are to die for.”

The Queen turned her attention to Nora. “How are things in Gatay? That new law of yours still doesn’t sit right with me.”

“You’re too soft,” Nora replied with a casual shrug. “We can use elves as free labor. Put them to work, and when they’re no longer useful, we dispose of them. Simple.”

“I prefer the latter option right away,” the Queen said, spearing a piece of meat. “You never know what they’re planning.”

I focused on another grape, trying to tune out the conversation. If I stayed quiet and kept my head down, I might just survive the evening. Though… something felt off.

“How about the coal mines near North Krel?” the Queen asked. “Any progress there?”

“They’re still closed because of the avalanche risk,” Nora said. “And the elves we’ve captured are mostly old or women—not fit for such work.”

“Then kill the weak ones. Make an example of them so the rest won’t fail,” the Queen said, her tone as casual as if she were discussing the weather.

“You’re too soft. And tough at the same time, Mirelda.” Nora turned her gaze back to me. “Oh, I think he’s ready.”

The sudden shift in attention made my stomach turn. Before I could react, a sharp, searing pain shot through my head. Heat surged through my body, and panic clawed its way up my chest. My eyes darted to my glass, and I saw the faint traces of white powder clinging to the bottom.

Poison… probably. I didn’t know.

I stumbled to my feet, backing away from the table. My breath hitched as my vision swam, and I barely registered the guards stepping forward, their swords drawn.