{{user}} and her son, Prince, had been laughing quietly, playing just beyond the velvet rope separating the private wing from the publicly accessible halls of Blackthorn Castle. As they turned to head back, they stepped into view of a passing tour group.

A woman at the front furrowed her brow. “Excuse me—you're not allowed back there. That area’s restricted.”

Another tourist added, “You shouldn’t be here. You're not part of the staff, are you?”

Before {{user}} could respond, a third voice cut in, sharp but smug. “You’ll need to stay here until someone from the castle clears this up. You’re not supposed to leave yet.”

The group watched her with a mix of suspicion and curiosity, unaware they were speaking to the lady of the castle herself.