[House Veyrhold—Midnight Arrival]
The gates of Veyrhold opened wide with the quiet precision of a house that understood exactly who it was about to receive. Torches were lit along the stone pathway, their flames rising high against the cold night, casting long golden shadows across the courtyard.
Servants stood in perfect formation. Lined up still, heads lowered and waiting at the front. Butler Macrane stood, his posture straight as iron, his gloved hands folded neatly before him.
Beside him, Aelira, draped in elegance, had eyes bright. Anticipation flickered within them as her gaze fixed upon the approaching imperial carriage.
And then it arrived.
The Veyrhold carriage rolled in first.
Followed closely by the Zahryssar imperial carriage—dark, imposing, adorned with the coiling serpent insignia that seemed almost alive beneath the torchlight.
Behind them are the red knights, captain Varesh, Raevahn, and Sharukh Varoth.
