A few days later.
Pale stone walls gleamed beneath the sun, the vast city defenses of the duchy standing as wide and imposing as ever. Carriages rumbled along the stone-paved roads, passing through iron gates that opened into the palace grounds. Men and women clad in fine pourpoints and flowing kirtles moved with measured steps toward the grand hall, where banners bearing eagle crests snapped proudly from the towering battlements above.
Then—
In the grand hall, a young man stepped forward and sank to one knee at the center of the chamber. In doing so, the sunlight poured from white-stained glass windows and spilling across his face and catching on his long lashes, casting soft shadows that framed his features.
Above, one could see the ceiling arched high above. There were pale stone pillars etched with old crests and banners.
Behind him were rows of wooden benches packed with nobles in coats and dresses painted with ceremonial colors.
