Chapter 433: 435: Morning Tea

The gentle breeze of the morning brushed past his face, carrying the lingering scent of breakfast. The fragrance of tea hung thick in the air - aromatic, but not overwhelming.

A wide balcony overlooked the courtyard training ground below, where armored knights clashed in drills under the rising sun. Despite the steel ringing and orders being shouted, this place - this pavilion set on green grass, ringed with flowers - felt untouched by the chaos beneath.

Damon sat calmly, a teacup in hand, his eyes fixed on the chessboard before him. The board wasn't standard.