A soft, feminine voice floated in from the entrance like a summer breeze, except this breeze carried the faint promise of a storm.
"It has been a while, Archbishop Raven."
The moment those words rang out, every single person in the throne room, knights, attendants, guards, even the stone-faced attendants near the walls, dropped into a deep, respectful bow.
Archbishop Raven bowed lowest of all.
"Indeed it has, Lady Elizabeth," he replied smoothly, still bowed. "Far too long."
"No need to be so formal," the woman said with a light chuckle as she stepped fully into the room.
The instant she appeared, a ripple of quiet awe spread through the hall.
It wasn't just her presence; it was the way she carried herself, like she owned every inch of air she breathed.
Long golden-blonde hair cascaded down her back like liquid sunlight.
Her eyes were a striking ruby-red, bright and gem-like.
Her face was breathtaking, perfectly sculpted, almost too beautiful to be real.
