Meeting The Hero

By noon, everyone had arrived, and it seemed that all those invited were individuals of considerable importance, capable of significantly influencing the Empire. The Dukes, who typically preferred the comfort of their own territories, were present as well; this might have been the first time they had stayed in the capital for such an extended period.

However, one notable absence lingered in the air—Duchess Isla. Her absence was hardly surprising, as she had a reputation for avoiding such gatherings. Instead of mingling with the nobility, she preferred to remain ensconced in her palace, immersed in her research on poisons and alchemy.

As I surveyed the meeting hall, I took in the faces of those gathered. Most of the attendees were candidates for the throne, each one a potential leader of the Empire. I, too, found myself among them, invited to this assembly of power and influence.

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, each noble aware of the stakes involved in the discussions to c