A Few days later.
Thirheria.
************
The grand hall of the castle was filled with an uneasy tension as the meeting convened. Seated at the head of the long table were King Aldrich, Queen Helena, and Prince Theodore, their expressions grave as they regarded the man before them—Baron Aldridge, Adele's father. His presence was always unsettling, his cunning nature well-known within the court. This time, however, it was his insistence on this meeting that raised even more suspicion.
Baron Aldridge sat confidently, a smile playing on his lips as he began to speak. "Your Majesties, Your Highness," he started, his tone oily with false humility. "I come before you today with a request that is both simple and significant. As you know, I have many friends and connections in the troll kingdom. They have been eager to witness the union of our families and have expressed a strong desire to attend my daughter's wedding."
