The contestants began one after another, each stepping forward with their own way of impressing the crowd especially the king.
Some displayed strength—controlled bursts of power that rippled through the air and drew murmurs from the elders.
Others relied on elegance, their movements refined, calculated, meant to charm rather than overwhelm. And then there were those who abandoned subtlety altogether.
They drew close.
Soft laughter, lingering touches, bold gazes that stretched just a second too long—each of them trying, in their own shameless way, to pull a reaction from Gaffer.
Linda watched it all quietly.
Well, she had no choice.
Gaffer remained where he stood, composed as ever, allowing it—observing, judging, unmoved on the surface. But beneath that calm exterior, something restless stirred.
They were all doing things very immorally. Just like May Scalden.
The name rose like a bitter taste at the back of his throat.
