The grand banquet hall of the Sol Ignis palace was a wash of gold and crimson, illuminated by hundreds of floating lamps.
The air smelled of roasted meats, spices, and wine. Kale sat below the royal dais, his posture straight. Wearing apprentice robes, he kept his head lowered to blend into the background. Anonymity was a luxury he could not afford.
At the main table above, the contrast between the royal siblings was remarkably sharp. Prince Renard was boisterous, laughing loudly as he raised his silver goblet to toast the surrounding nobles.
Beside him, Princess Aria sat with absolute poise, her yellow eyes scanning the crowd with quiet, analytical precision.
The sibling rivalry between the two was a silent, tense current beneath the warmth of the music and laughter.
