**WARNING!** Heavy use of language and violence is present. Some scenes may not be suitable for younger readers.
This book, "Regal Rift," is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidenta...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
In the grand hall of Eldoria's castle, an ominous silence settled over the assembled crowd.
King Eirian stood at the head of the room, his face a mask of steely determination.
The air was thick with tension and unspoken fear, the weight of recent events pressing down on everyone present.
The heavy oak doors creaked open, and Alaric, the king's most trusted soldier, strode forward, his armor glinting in the dim light.
He approached the throne, his expression grim as he bowed deeply before the king.
"Your Majesty," Alaric began, his voice steady but laced with urgency.
"I bring dire news. Chief Commander Valle Osterhaus was found murdered in the armory. His eyes were left open, a sign of the brutality he endured."
A collective gasp rippled through the room. King Eirian's eyes hardened, a mixture of sorrow and fury flashing across his face.
He stood, the hem of his royal robes brushing the marble floor as he addressed those gathered.
"Summon everyone," King Eirian commanded.
"Bring everyone here including Queen Lyzandra and Prince Lyxander, as well as the royal council, advisers, servants, and all high-ranking soldiers. They must be informed of the dire threat we now face."
"Yes, Your Majesty." With a quick response, Alaric ordered every soldier to gather everyone as an order of the king.
Within moments, the hall was filled with people.
Queen Lyzandra, her face pale but composed, stood beside Prince Lyxander, who wore a mask of stoic determination.
The royal council and advisers murmured among themselves, their worry palpable.
King Eirian raised his hand for silence, and the hall fell still. His voice, though steady, carried the weight of deep sorrow and fierce resolve.
"Today, our kingdom faces a grave threat. As you all know, a soldier was murdered within these very walls."
"But I must now share an even darker truth. "
"Our beloved Chief Commander Valle Osterhaus was found dead in the armory, a victim of a skilled and professional assailant."
Whispers of shock and disbelief swept through the crowd. King Eirian continued, his voice growing firmer.
"Chief Commander Valle was one of our finest warriors, a man whose skill and loyalty were unmatched."
"That such a formidable figure could be felled within our own castle is a testament to the danger we now face."
"The perpetrator is not just an ordinary adversary; they are highly trained and exceptionally skilled."
