The warmth of the family table lingered long after the final toast.
Laughter still echoed across the Grand Hall as servants cleared away empty platters and replaced them with elegant trays of desserts and sparkling wine. The atmosphere had relaxed considerably; nobles who had spent years exchanging little more than polite nods now found themselves deep in conversation.
For one precious evening, the kingdom seemed at peace.
Aliena looked around the hall with quiet wonder.
When she had first arrived at the palace, these people had seemed impossibly distant—untouchable figures dressed in silk and jewels.
Tonight, they looked... human.
An elderly duchess laughed so hard she had to dab tears from the corner of her eyes.
Two young knights argued over whose dance steps had been more embarrassing.
Children belonging to visiting nobles chased one another between marble columns until their mothers hurried after them with exasperated smiles.
The palace felt alive.
"You seem happier."
