The palace had not known a moment of quiet since the engagement had been announced.
Days had passed, yet the halls still buzzed with constant movement, as if the entire building had come alive. Servants hurried back and forth carrying folded fabrics, polished trays, sealed letters, and bundles of parchment. The usually calm corridors were filled with hushed conversations, the scratching of quills, and the occasional burst of laughter from maids who could not contain their excitement about the upcoming royal wedding.
It was not as if the wedding would happen tomorrow.
Everyone knew that a royal wedding took weeks—sometimes months—to prepare properly. Invitations needed to be sent across kingdoms. Tailors had to design multiple ceremonial outfits. The chapel had to be redecorated. The kitchens would begin planning the feast weeks in advance.
Still, the announcement alone had been enough to set the palace into motion.
