When Lucas arrived at the throne hall, he noticed at once that the atmosphere was not the usual formal calm that accompanied royal meetings. The tension inside the chamber felt layered, subtle yet unmistakable. Several elders were already seated, including Henrietta, Elder Gideon, Varian and other council members who only attended matters of real consequence. They were speaking in low tones, but every face carried the same restrained seriousness.
Lucas stepped forward, bowed to the King and took his place quietly, wondering why he had been summoned in such urgency.
Before King Highmoor spoke, the doors opened again.
At first, no one paid much attention, assuming another elder had arrived. Then the hall seemed to freeze all at once. Conversations broke off mid-sentence, eyes widened slightly, and even Henrietta who was normally composed and unreadable turned her head sharply.
The Empress walked in.
But she walked in unveiled.
