In the bustling streets of Emberlyn, Xander blended in with the crowd, his appearance altered slightly to avoid recognition. He moved with purpose, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he made his way towards the palace to begin his reconnaissance.Dressed in the garb of a commoner, Xander's first stop was a local market near the palace. The area was a hive of activity, with vendors calling out their wares and townsfolk milling about. He casually struck up a conversation with a fruit seller positioned to have a clear view of the palace gates."Busy day, isn't it?" Xander remarked casually, picking up an apple and inspecting it.The vendor, a middle-aged man with a friendly face, nodded. "Always is when there's a gala. The nobles love their festivities. That palace sees more parties than I see customers."Xander feigned interest in the apple, probing further. "Must be quite the sight. I heard the Duchess spares no expense for these events.""Oh, you heard right," the vendor replied, l

Three days later, Xander and Lyra were ready to set their Plan A into motion. They donned their carefully acquired disguises – Xander dressed as a palace kitchen staffer and Lyra in a maid's uniform. With a final check of their appearances and equipment, they opened the window of their tavern room and slipped out, heading towards the castle.The streets of Emberlyn were alive with excitement and anticipation for the gala. Fancy carriages lined the roads, heading toward the castle, each more lavishly decorated than the last. The city itself was adorned with vibrant decorations – banners, lights, and flowers creating a festive atmosphere.People crowded the streets, their conversations filled with speculation and excitement about the night's event. "I hear the food is going to be exquisite," one woman said to her companion, her eyes sparkling. "The Duchess always has the best chefs for these galas."Another passerby chimed in, "And have you heard? His Majesty Richard, the King of Emberl

As Duchess Celina reached the bottom of the grand staircase, she paused, allowing the crowd to settle before addressing the assembly of nobles and distinguished guests. The hall fell silent, all eyes and ears focused on her."Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests," Celina began, her voice clear and confident. "I welcome you all to this splendid evening. It is an honor to host such a distinguished gathering here in the heart of the Duchy of Krovian."She scanned the room, her gaze commanding and assured. "I am also pleased to announce that His Majesty, King Richard, will be arriving shortly to grace us with his presence. It is a testament to the strong bond between the Duchy and the throne."Xander, mingling among the servers, kept his focus on Celina, listening intently to her speech.Celina continued, her tone shifting to one of subtle excitement. "Tonight is not just a celebration, but also a herald of the progressive changes our Duchy is undergoing. I will be introducing more refor

Xander and Lyra moved with stealth and urgency, navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the palace toward Duchess Celina's private chambers. The chaos of the gala, still unfolding behind them, provided the perfect cover for their covert movements.As they neared the chambers, they could hear voices – Brie and a man with a commanding presence, undoubtedly Riyon, the King's Royal Guard. Riyon was a tall, muscular man, his posture radiating authority. He wore the distinctive armor of the royal guard, polished to a shine, and his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings with a vigilant gaze.Lyra and Xander paused just out of sight, listening to Brie and Riyon discuss the heightened security measures in the wake of the chandelier incident."We need to double the guard at every entrance," Riyon was saying, his voice firm. "And increase patrols throughout the palace. Whoever caused this may still be here."Brie nodded in agreement, her expression stern. "I'll have my best women on it. We can't

The room erupted into a violent dance, with Celina exhibiting a level of combat skill that belied her aristocratic demeanor. Her movements were agile and precise, her attacks coming in quick, relentless succession. Xander, equally adept, met her strikes with deft blocks and counterattacks, his own combat experience evident in every move.King Richard, witnessing the ferocious battle, exclaimed, "Stop this madness, both of you!"Xander, while parrying a particularly vicious strike from Celina, called out to the King without taking his eyes off her. "Your Majesty, do not call the guards. This is about your kingdom's future."Celina, her eyes blazing with fury, saw an opportunity in the King's presence. She wanted to kill him, and with her initial plan of poisoning thwarted, she decided to seize the moment. "If I can't poison you, I'll do it by my own hands!" she declared, lunging towards the King with daggers raised.Xander, anticipating her move, swiftly stepped in between Celina and t