Not many people knew Tharion was the Second Lord. Or rather, the missing Second Lord.
So, their arrival at the palace went smoother than expected.
Until it didn't.
The moment they stepped past the gates—all hell broke loose.
"MY LORD!"
A rush of movement.
Guards surged toward them, their feet skidding against the stone as their tails flicked in alarm. Wide-eyed and frantic, they barely had time to process before one of them bellowed for the others.
"HE'S HERE! THE SECOND LORD—HE'S BACK!"
The words sent a shockwave through the palace grounds.
A wave of bodies stormed toward them—guards, maids, advisors—all desperate to see if it was true.
Thalina's heart leapt into her throat.
"Tharion—"
The sheer force of the crowd had her instinctively pressing herself against him, clutching at his sleeve. There were too many people. Too many eyes. She wasn't ready for this.
