Damian strode from the royal court toward the prison yard of the Violet Palace, with the ministers, officers and royal guards following closely behind him. Eunuchs and attendants hurried along at the rear, struggling to maintain the pace as Damian moved through the palace streets without slowing.
The atmosphere that had been filled with the confidence and excitement of his first court session had completely changed. Nobody spoke unless absolutely necessary. The revelation that the Order of Demons was the ones responsible for the assassination attempt had placed an uncomfortable weight over everyone, and the fact that a Kitsune woman was now connected to the investigation made the situation even more complicated.
At the top of the staircase leading away from the royal court, Damian's wives and concubines remained behind, watching the procession disappear down the streets.
