The sunroom on the eastern wing of the upper palace was bathed in soft, warm afternoon light. Tall glass archways opened out into a quiet courtyard garden where white roses clung to stone trellises, filling the air with a faint, sweet scent.
Inside, a small round table held a light meal, roasted poultry, buttered vegetables, and fresh white bread alongside chilled fruit juice.
Alderon sat at the center, looking far lighter than he had during the heavy council meeting earlier that morning. To his right sat Yerel, his coat unbuttoned slightly at the collar, looking completely at ease. Sitting directly across from Yerel was Philia, his light hair catching the sun as he quietly picked at the roasted poultry on his plate, taking small bites between sips of juice.
