The massive double doors at the opposite side of the ballroom swung wide open.
Lucius stepped firmly onto the polished marble threshold, and standing right beside him, clad in the pristine, immaculate white doublet that mirrored the fresh snowfall outside, was Julian.
The entire ballroom fell into a stunned, absolute silence. The brilliant, almost ethereal scholar stepped forward into the warm amber light, completely unaware that the stage had just been cleared entirely for him.
Standing in the center of the vast floor was Alaric. He stretched his hand out, inviting Julian over.
Julian's breath caught in his throat. He began to walk forward, his hair neatly styled back. Though his steps felt a little awkward under the intense gaze of the entire aristocracy present, he didn't stumble.
His posture was held steady by a quiet, innate dignity, but the sheer scale of the gathering made his heart hammer frantically against his ribs.
