Chapter 102

Chapter 102: The Morning After

A faint crash echoed from somewhere nearby, jolting Tristan awake. His eyes snapped open as the remnants of a deep, groggy sleep clung to his mind. His head throbbed, a sharp ache pounding behind his eyes, and his vision swam as he tried to gather his bearings. The room was dim, with only slivers of morning light filtering through the heavy curtains.

For a moment, Tristan remained still, blinking in a trance-like state. Everything felt surreal, as if he was drifting between a dream and reality. Then, the events of yesterday began to seep back into his consciousness. He remembered the Empress’s serene smile, the drink she offered—smelling of the finest wine—and how the expensive wine had made him feel warm, lightheaded, and unusually drowsy. The realization dawned on him that the drink had been more than just for celebration. It was a trap, a calculated move in the final trial.

His breath hitched as another memory surfaced. He remembered the woman who had