[Realm: Álfheimr]
[Location: Heart Kingdom]
[Pulchritudo]
"Whoa, it's already past midnight, and there are still this many people at the banquet?" Gretel mused, staring down at the Duke's sprawling estate from the rooftop perch where she stood beside Mikoto. The hour had grown late enough that most sensible people would have retired for the night, yet the estate below remained almost as lively as when they had first arrived. "I honestly thought we'd be seeing people leave by now."
The estate was spread out in the distance beneath them, its many windows and courtyards glowing with light. Lanterns and other sources of illumination outlined the grand architecture, turning the entire property into a bright island in the darkness. Figures continued to move through the courtyards, while others remained gathered within the main building. Even from this distance, Gretel could make out the occasional movement of servants and guests.
There was no obvious decline.
