Princess Maria sat alone in her dimly lit chamber, her thoughts swirling like a storm. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the stone walls of the manor, a temporary refuge in a foreign land. Her mind was consumed by the enigma of Shennong, the mysterious man whose feats defied reason.
Could he truly be her brother, long thought dead? The implications for the empire were staggering. If Shennong was alive, wielding powers no one else could, what would Emperor Father think? Would he see a threat or a lost son? Maria's heart pounded as she imagined the chaos this revelation could unleash.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a commotion downstairs—shouts, the clash of steel, and the unmistakable sounds of combat. Maria's eyes narrowed. She rose from her chair, her silk gown rustling softly, and strode to the door. Opening it, she peered into the darkened hallway. The noise grew louder, more urgent. Something was wrong.
