Chapter 3: The Monster With No Soul
The group of soldiers and Ivan Romanov rode straight to the palace. The gates were already open. The moment they arrived, every servant, guard, and noble in sight either bowed or moved out of the way in silence. No one dared to speak.
Their eyes went to him—the man in the silver mask.
Behind them, tied and beaten, was a prisoner. A man accused of treason. He was being dragged away toward the palace dungeons, his screams muffled by blood and cloth.
At the steps, a servant with shaking hands stepped forward, bowing low. "Your Highness... the Czar awaits you in the throne room."
Ivan said nothing. He simply followed the servant in silence, his steps heavy, steady, echoing through the golden halls.
Inside the throne room, the Czar sat tall on his throne. His name was Czar Vladimir. His beard was grey with age, and his crown rested low on his forehead. His eyes, however, were sharp as ever. Beside him, on a slightly smaller seat, sat Queen Olga—beautiful, cold, and distant. Her black hair fell like ink over her shoulders. Her lips were red, her hands resting stiffly on her lap. She didn’t smile.
The Czar leaned forward slightly. "You’ve done well," he said. "Those traitors in Velinsk were bold. Planning to overthrow the crown with such madness. And now they hang, thanks to you."
Ivan gave a small nod.
Queen Olga didn’t say a word. She turned her head slightly, her gaze never meeting his. Her jaw was clenched. She looked like she wanted him gone.