The castle doors were wide open. Commoners had the rare chance to witness the splendor of their Aetheris royal family. Though their opinions were mixed, most wouldn't deny the privilege of being born with a golden spoon.
Everyone else had already arrived. The King had deliberately given a later time to the Second Prince of the Silver Dragons to emphasize how eager the Aetheris nobles were to meet him. The nobles were naturally aware of his machinations, but as they were genuinely eager to meet someone so far out of their league, they chose to remain silent.
The banquet hadn't yet started, but the low murmur of voices in the spacious hall created a bustling atmosphere. So, when soft footsteps echoed through the room, miraculously picked up by everyone's ears, their hearts collectively jolted.
Silence engulfed the hall as gasps and awestruck murmurs were stifled in fear of offending the regal man who had stopped by the door.
