The Day I Take Off My Mask

Following Chris, I climbed the grand staircase and made my way deeper into the palace.

Above us, a lofty vaulted ceiling soared overhead. We passed through a corridor lined with pillars adorned with intricate carvings.

"This is it. Go in."

As Chris approached, the knight standing guard before the door pushed it open.

Plain tapestries hung on the walls, and benches lined them.

The scribes at their lecterns by the windows all rose at once and bowed deeply.

Chris took out a ring of keys and, without so much as glancing at them, opened an exquisitely carved wooden door farther inside.

"This is my office."

The marble floor was decorated with geometric patterns. A large desk and chair stood inside.

Sturdy-looking, locked cabinets lined the walls...