A eunuch in elaborate robes stepped forward from his position beside the empty throne, his voice trained to carry across the vast hall with perfect clarity.
"His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Thalric von Astabahn, Sovereign of the Unified Territories, Guardian of the Heavenly Mandate, and Lord of All Under Heaven!"
The effect was immediate and absolute. Every person in the hall—ministers, generals, court officials, nobles—dropped into deep bows, their bodies expressing the submission and respect demanded by imperial protocol. Even Prince Milan and Prince Andrion bowed, though as members of the imperial family, their bows were less pronounced.
Only two people in the hall remained standing: General Remin, whose position and rank granted him the privilege of remaining upright in the Emperor's presence, and Jolthar, who had not been explicitly instructed on protocol and was following Remin's lead.
