Beneath the Canopy of Lies

The royal garden behind the castle was a place of serene beauty. The moon hung high above, casting its silvery light over the meticulously maintained greenery. Rows of blooming nocturnal flowers filled the air with a subtle, sweet fragrance, and the sound of a gently flowing fountain echoed faintly in the still night. But despite the tranquil setting, the two figures walking side by side carried an air of tension that seemed to weigh down the atmosphere itself.

Adrian's stride was calm, his hands clasped behind his back as he matched the King's deliberate pace. The silence between them stretched long, broken only by the crunch of their footwear against the gravel path. For a moment, it seemed as though neither man intended to speak, each lost in his own thoughts.

It was the King who finally broke the awkward quiet.

"So," he said, his voice deep but carrying a faint warmth, "have you thought about what reward you'd like for your victory in the tournament?"