Ch 60: What?

The night grew even quieter, an eerie stillness descending over the room as the scratching sound faded momentarily, leaving only the tense silence and the faint flicker of candlelight. Gray gulped, his throat dry, feeling the weight of his decision as he spoke, his voice a mere whisper. "I… think I'm going to take a look outside, and see what's causing all this."

Immediately, both Maria and Liza clung to his arms, their fingers gripping him tightly, their faces etched with fear. Their eyes, wide and desperate, searched his, pleading for reassurance. "Please, be careful, Gray," they murmured in unison, their voices trembling. Maria's grip tightened, her cheeks tinged with worry as she met his gaze. "My… my future king," she murmured, voice barely above a whisper, "I don't want to lose you. Promise you'll come back safe."