As the ball approached, the atmosphere heated up more and more. The general commotion began with the fact that I found a small harmless agate. The stone did not pose a serious danger. The only thing he was capable of was emitting a terrifying howl. I would even take it for someone's bad prank, but Nayan was not satisfied with this explanation, and he got into a bad habit of walking around the palace. The legs were tired after many hours of rounds, but it was still preferable than sitting in our working room and wondering which of the people around was a traitor.

Everyone seemed suspicious: the changed Lady...