[Lior's POV — Morvael Castle — Late Morning]
Morvael Castle was far larger than it first appeared.
From the outside, it looked like a fortress carved into the mountain itself—cold, severe, immovable. But inside, the corridors stretched endlessly, twisting through towers, courtyards, and ancient stone halls that smelled faintly of iron and old smoke.
Maria walked ahead of me at a measured pace, her hands folded neatly before her.
"This corridor leads to the eastern wing, Your Grace," Maria explained politely. "Most of the private chambers are located here."
I nodded quietly.
My footsteps echoed faintly against the polished floor, the sound swallowed quickly by the enormous ceilings above us.
I was trying to remember every turn, every door, every staircase, because if I wanted to escape… I needed to know the way out. Maria stopped briefly beside a tall window overlooking the snowy valley below.
"This side of the castle faces the Skeldryn forests," she said.
