Novelle

A thick autumn fog clings to the sprawling courtyard of a princely estate, barely lifting as dawn breaks and the hunt stirs to life. Riders adjust their saddles, hounds tug at their leads, and the air hums with the bustle of servants preparing for the day’s chase. At the center of the activity, the young prince hesitates, his mind occupied with discussions of finance and governance, while his newly wed wife watches the bustling scene with a mix of curiosity and impatience.

Retreating to a quiet room that opens onto a sweeping view of the surrounding mountains, the princess turns a telescope toward the distant, crumbling ruins of an ancient fortress. Through the glass she spots familiar figures approaching—a draftsman bearing a portfolio of sketches that promise to reveal the stronghold’s hidden secrets. Their arrival hints at a project that could reshape the landscape, setting the stage for decisions that will affect both the court and the countryside.