The morning of the Tribunal arrived, and the entire city held its breath in tense anticipation. Yet, before the gavel could strike, there was one last meeting to attend.
Theresa returned the evening before with important news: the Crown's representative had agreed to a private audience. At dawn, Dominic and Theresa navigated the shadowed alleys of the palace district, leaving Florence and Lysandra behind at the manor with strict instructions to stay alert.
Their destination was a humble yet intriguing audience chamber tucked away in an ancient wing of the palace, far from the grandeur of the ball's opulent halls. The room was dimly lit, with only a few floating orbs casting a soft, golden hue that danced across the walls. The air carried the rich scent of aged paper and stone, filling the space with a palpable sense of history and hidden secrets.
Theresa lingered near the door, her presence understated yet attentive. Dominic stood alone at the center, tense yet composed.
