By sunrise, the secret discovered beneath the Empress's meditation chamber was no longer a secret.
It had become a rumor.
And by midday—
It had become a story.
By evening—
The entire capital was talking about it.
The news spread through the city faster than anyone could have imagined.
It began inside the palace.
A maid whispered it to another maid.
A guard mentioned it to a servant.
A servant carried it to a relative outside the palace.
A merchant heard it while delivering goods.
And once the rumor escaped the palace gates—
There was no stopping it.
---
At the eastern market, two vegetable sellers stood beside their stalls, speaking in hushed voices.
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"The palace."
The older woman leaned closer.
"They found a black altar beneath the Empress's chamber."
The younger seller's eyes widened.
"A black altar?"
She quickly lowered her voice.
"Don't speak so loudly!"
"Why?"
"Because they say it was used for forbidden magic."
