{Third Person}
The tension in the council hall stretched thin.
Thirty minutes had elapsed. The murmurs had become more restless and sharper with impatience, yet the King's absence persisted entirely.
But just as the atmosphere threatened to boil over, footsteps echoed from the entrance. A palace attendant stepped in, and all eyes turned.
He bowed respectfully before speaking, his tone formal and neutral. "Royal Ministers, His Majesty is currently occupied and will not be able to grant an audience at this time."
Then, before anyone could respond, the attendant bowed once more and turned, leaving as quickly as he had come.
Then the hall erupted.
"So this is it?"
"He refuses to see us?"
"After everything that happened last night?!"
Voices overlapped, rising in frustration. The earlier unity in their anger now splintered into heated exchanges.
