The atmosphere within the Noble Preparatory Hall had changed completely from what it had been only a few minutes ago, the carefree laughter and childish chatter replaced by an uneasy silence filled with murmurs that spread quietly among the attendants standing at the edges of the park.
Children gathered nearby watched with wide eyes and poorly hidden excitement, some whispering to one another while others simply stared openly, unable to look away from the strange scene unfolding before them.
At the center of it all stood Damon, calm and unmoving, one hand holding Cecelia's small hand as she stood quietly beside him, while the guard who had accompanied him remained respectfully on his other side.
And directly before them—
A middle-aged man knelt on the ground.
