Chapter 97

Chapter 97: The Trial of Allegiance

The Royal Entreaty had dwindled down to fifty suitors after three days of intense trials. They rested in their tent that night, preparing for the next challenge. The remaining men were weary, their bodies bruised and battered, but their spirits remained unbroken—at least for now.

As the suitors discussed their strategies and speculated on what lay ahead, a humble servant entered the tent, carrying a tray of drinks. His attire was simple, and his demeanor unassuming. He moved quietly, offering refreshments with a respectful bow. The suitors barely noticed him, too engrossed in their own thoughts.

Cedric who was hidden beneath the guise of a lowly server, moved silently among the men, pouring drinks with the precision and deference expected of his supposed station. His sharp eyes missed nothing, watching the suitors with the practiced gaze of one accustomed to court intrigue.

“Gentlemen,” Cedric began in a low, conspiratorial tone as he set down a tra