Mordain did not step into the day gently at House Duskbane.

  Silver light spilled through the tall obsidian windows, brushing the halls with an almost painful clarity. Usually quiet, the palace felt heavier — thick with anticipation, like the air before a storm.

  Mordain noticed it immediately as he walked the corridor. Servants moved faster. Knights stood straighter. Even the banners along the walls seemed unusually stiff.

  Something was happening.

  Velora waited at the edge of the hall, beside a carriage lined with violet silk. Her silver hair gleamed in the morning light.

  “Mord,” she said softly.

  He slowed. “Where are we going?”

  “The Royal Convocation. All heirs are present,” she said. “Luminara, Frostveil, Emberlyn, Stormholt, Verdancia, Noctyrr, Ashkara, Tidemark, Aurelionyx… and Duskbane.”

  Mordain’s expression remained calm, but a quiet edge of curiosity sharpened his gaze.

  The carriage rolled through misty valleys and forests until House Luminara’s palace appeared, gleaming like gold and crystal under the morning sun. Towers stretched high, spires catching light in a display of authority and prestige.

  Velora leaned closer, voice low: “Mord… they’re finally putting Duskbane’s heir in front of all the other houses.”

  He exhaled. “And what will they see?”

  “Not a shadow… not yet,” she said, eyes bright.

  Inside Luminara’s Grand Convocation Hall, nobles lined tiered balconies. Crystal chandeliers reflected every figure entering. And then — one by one — the heirs were announced:

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  “Princess Seraphina Kael Emberlyn of House Emberlyn!”

  Red hair ablaze, flame-colored robes trailing, she laughed as if daring the world to look away.

  “Princess Elowen Nyx Frostveil of House Frostveil!”

  Pale, measured, every movement precise, snow-blue embroidery shimmering on her gown.

  “Princess Kaelis Ardyn Stormholt of House Stormholt!”

  Armor storm-gray, posture rigid, eyes scanning the room like a blade assessing its target.

  “Princess Aurelia Solenne Luminara of House Luminara!”

  Golden and white robes flowed around her. Poise, diplomacy, authority — all in one radiant presence.

  “Princess Thalassa Rowan Verdancia of House Verdancia!”

  Green and gold woven robes flowed like living vines; calm, serene, rooted.

  “Princess Isolde Virelya Noctyrr of House Noctyrr!”

  Silver and black, silent and pale, her gaze like the moon cutting through clouds.

  “Princess Nymera Zahra Ashkara of House Ashkara!”

  Amber and ash-colored attire hugged her like smoke; eyes holding the memory of fire survived.

  “Princess Maris Elayne Tidemark of House Tidemark!”

  Ocean-blue robes, steady as the tide; calm, depth hidden behind serenity.

  “Princess Valeryx Mael Aurelionyx of House Aurelionyx!”

  Black and gold scales woven into armor glinting like a dragon’s hide, every step a ripple of latent power.

  Finally — quietly, almost unnoticed:

  “Prince Mordain Lucien Draeven Vexwell Duskbane of House Duskbane.”

  No fanfare. No flourish. Yet shadows stretched beneath him as he stepped forward.

  Aurelia’s gaze met his first. “So… the Shadow Prince appears.”

  Seraphina tilted her head, curiosity flickering. “That’s the Duskbane heir?”

  Kaelis crossed her arms. “He doesn’t look like much.”

  Velora stepped beside him immediately, chin lifted. “Appearances rarely matter.”

  Aurelia’s eyes flicked toward her, then back to Mordain. “And what do you say, Prince Mordain? Will you prove the rumors wrong?”

  Every heir was watching. Waiting. Measuring.

  Mordain met their gazes one by one — Light, Ice, Flame, Storm, Moon, Forest, Ash, Sea, Dragon.

  Quietly, he said:

  “Rumors are comfortable things. I wouldn’t want to take that from you.”

  Seraphina blinked, then laughed. “Oh, I like him.”

  Elowen didn’t laugh. She was still studying him — a puzzle that did not fit.

  The heavy council doors groaned open behind them.

  A voice echoed: “Enter.”

  Velora whispered softly, firm: “Stay close to me.”

  He stepped forward anyway. “I will,” he said quietly, “but not because I need protection.”

  For the first time, the other heirs did not see a shadow.

  They saw something quiet. Something deep. Something waiting.

  And beyond the walls of Luminara, past forests and rivers, far beyond banners and crowns, something ancient stirred.

  Watching.

  Waiting.