Three days later, a banquet was held at the “Castle of Mirrors” to celebrate Anaxia’s usurpation of the dukedom.

In the grand hall lit by ominous candles, vassals dressed in magnificent gowns or ceremonial attire danced.

On the surface, it seemed like an ordinary ball. However, the suspicious detail was that every vassal had shackles on their wrists and ankles, with chains stretching long across the floor.

The source of the chains was numerous mirrors, hung on the walls and ceilings throughout the castle.

They were connected to chains that stretched out from mirrors like marionettes attached to strings.

Clink. Clink.

No matter how elegantly they danced, the sound of metal dragging on the floor created a discordant noise.