After months of abandonment, the cold halls of Hidden Stone Castle once again flickered with life, warmth returning to the empty halls and rooms. Fireplaces roared back to life, castling golden light against the stone walls, and candles bathed the rooms in a soft glow. It was a stark difference to the silence and coldness that settled after the former king died, taking their lavish feasts and empty celebrations with them.
The castle's vast dining hall was now unadorned, without the paintings and the gilded embellishments that once hang on the ceilings and stone walls. At the center stood a long stone table, large enough to seat dozens of heads, though only two people occupied it at the moment. Despite the simplicity of the room, the table was laid with one of the most extravagant meals that Henry had ordered since arriving in this world.
