Lord Thane strode into the grand hall, his steps measured and deliberate, the polished marble floor reflecting the flickering light of the chandeliers overhead.
The room buzzed with conversation, the air thick with the scent of spiced wine, beeswax, and the faint trace of perfume lingering on the well-dressed nobles who filled the space.
He adjusted the rich fabric of his cloak, ensuring it draped just right over his broad shoulders, and then donned his best charming smile, a practiced expression that exuded effortless confidence.
As he moved through the throng, he greeted each noble with the perfect balance of warmth and authority, his voice smooth, his nods well-timed, his presence commanding without seeming overbearing.
He slowed his pace and came to a stop beside a small gathering of nobles positioned near a towering arched window, where the morning sunlight spilled in like liquid gold.
