The grand hall of the Qarth Palace shimmered with the finest silks and jewels, a symphony of hushed chatter and delicate laughter. Talia, amidst the swirling gowns and sparkling tiaras, felt like a ghost, a mere shadow flitting between the noble ladies. Her uniform, a simple helper's dress, was a stark reminder of her place, even as she wiped an imaginary smudge from a polished table.

“Stop staring,” Jane, a kind-faced palace worker, murmured, nudging Talia gently. "It’s not every day you see such a thing." Talia offered a small smile, her gaze drawn to the opulent display. The youngest prince was choosing his bride, an event that had captivated the entire kingdom.

“Indeed,” Talia replied, though her thoughts drifted. "I wonder whom the prince will choose. He had been looking down lately." Jane mused, oblivious to Talia's internal musings. “Is that so? Isn’t it obvious that he will choose Chloe?” Talia countered, a hint of weariness in her voice. Everyone knew Chloe, the prince's childhood sweetheart, was the favored choice. The whole ceremony seemed a pointless charade.

“You never know, the world is full of surprises. Go to the kitchen and bring a jug of water.” Jane instructed, pulling Talia from her reverie. "Okay, I will go now." Talia turned, making her way through the bustling corridors, her mind still replaying the scene of forced gaiety she had just left. A strange painting on the wall, one she'd never noticed before, suddenly caught her eye. Its colors seemed to swirl, and a wave of dizziness washed over her, the world spinning in a disorienting nightmare.