[Silthara Palace — Malika's Private Residency — Private Courtyard — Later]
The private courtyard had begun blooming once more; the scars of war still lingered upon the ancient marble, yet life had already started reclaiming what death had stolen.
Gardeners quietly knelt beneath the morning sun. Fresh white lotus flowers were carefully planted around the sacred pond. Young jasmine vines climbed the carved pillars once again. Hibiscus was planted again. The fragrance of damp earth and blossoms drifted gently through the courtyard.
Upon a long lower diwan overlooking the gardens... Levin sat surrounded by countless parchment scrolls; some remained sealed, and others had already been opened.
His blue eyes calmly moved from one report to another. Every decree...every royal order...and every treaty issued during Slyvarakh's reign...had to be examined.
Nothing could be trusted and without lifting his gaze, Levin spoke. "Bring me every royal decree issued under Slyvarakh's seal."
