The kingdom woke to a rumor that no one had expected.
By sunrise, the streets of the capital were already filled with whispers.
At first, it was only one sentence.
Then another.
Then dozens.
By midday, the entire kingdom was talking.
The Imperial Family had stepped back.
No one knew exactly what it meant.
Some said the Emperor had abandoned the throne.
Some claimed the imperial family had been frightened by the supernatural disturbances.
Others whispered that the Emperor had discovered something terrible inside the palace.
And then came the strangest rumor of all.
A new royal family had appeared.
No one knew who they were.
No one knew where they had come from.
And no one knew why the kingdom suddenly had a new ruler.
---
The Rumor Spreads
At a small tea stall near the eastern market, several merchants sat around a wooden table.
One man leaned forward.
"I heard the Emperor has left the capital."
Another immediately shook his head.
"Impossible."
