The square did not stay silent for long. Silence never survived in a kingdom built on fear. By the time the first torch burned out, the news had already moved through the city like fire through dry wood, spreading from street to street and door to door. The Crown Prince had walked into the execution square and spilled royal blood in front of everyone.
The Ghost of the Vane family had stood beside him without flinching, and an Omega bound in chains had been cut free in front of the entire kingdom. No one had words to describe it, but no one needed them. Everyone understood what it meant the moment they heard it. War had stopped being a rumor and stepped into the open.
