In her palace, Selene sat alone on the balcony. Draped in a flowing crimson robe that shimmered like woven fire, she looked like a noble fairy basking in morning light. Her long golden hair cascaded down her back like silk, gently swaying with the breeze. A porcelain cup of tea rested in her hand, and she sipped with practiced calm.
From her high perch, she observed the academy's courtyard—the students, teachers, the soldiers, of House Kaldras training, laughing, speaking, living.
A faint smile brushed her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. A weight settled on her shoulders. These people, these lives… they all depended on her—on her strength, her decisions, her will to uphold House Kaldras among the Nine Great Clans.
When she took the seat of power, many rebelled. Some rejected her rule outright, while others plotted in shadows, convinced that she was naive, easy to manipulate.
