The Malice of Hegeral
As twilight descended, the Duke of Golden Roses' daughter, Nina Lindveld, took center stage at the luminous heart of Hegeral, within the hallowed halls of the King‘s Tower. Nearly every notable figure of the city clamored to grace this illustrious birthday affair, with even King Cliff V of Solaven Kingdom dispatching a personal envoy from the capital to extend his felicitations.The buzz surrounding the birthday soirée wasn't merely about currying favor with the esteemed Duke or stealing a fleeting glimpse of Miss Nina's allure. There was a weighty anticipation hanging in the air – the Monarch, shrouded in mystery for almost a decade, was rumored to make a rare appearance at the feast.The Monarch's looming presence at the Golden Rose's daughter's celebration sent ripples through the political landscape, impossible to disregard.Hence, this year's revelry for Miss Nina's birthday was marked by opulence, drawing an unprecedented throng of attendees.Before the guests could settle into their seats, a solemn tolling of bells echoed through the grand hall. Slowly, the towering doors leading to the upper echelons of the Mage Tower creaked open. Among the illustrious guests, one figure stood out – Monarch Maicalan, once counted among the Three Heroes, now the spiritual leader of Solaven Kingdom and the mortal conduit of the divine. His presence, alongside that of the fabled Light Ma