The sun rose over the Capital, but it brought no peace to the Duke's Estate.
Instead, the morning light hit the polished gold armor of the guards surrounding the property. Being in the heart of the Capital meant there was nowhere to run; the Duke was pinned in his own home, surrounded by his brother's elite guards.
Well, it wasn't like he planned to run anyway.
TRUUUU-UUUM-PET.
The blast was louder than the day before, vibrating over the glass of the balcony doors.
"Grand Duke Alaric Lucien Blackspire!" the commander's voice roared, amplified by magic to shake the walls. "The sun has risen on your defiance! This is your final warning! Open the gates and surrender to the Imperial mandate, or we will take the Estate by force!"
Inside the room, Alaric stood on the balcony, looking out at the capital and then towards the towering walls of the Palace not too far from there. The emperor was probably waiting for him in those walls.
