The grand hall of Grafen Castle was dimly lit, the flickering chandeliers casting a warm yet serious glow over the vast room. Lyan sat at the head of the long table, a detailed map of the capital spread before him. His eyes traveled over the map for a moment before shifting to the people seated around him—the core members of his family. Wilhelmina, Surena, Alice, Emilia, Arielle, Belle, Althea, Alina, Xena, Josephine, Tesha, Ravia, Raine, and even the three mountain tribeswomen, Lara, Tara, and Sigrid, were all present. It was a full gathering, and the air was thick with tension.
Lyan could sense the anxiety and unease among the group. The unknowns of the upcoming royal banquet were enough to make anyone wary. He cleared his throat, his gaze softening as it met each of their eyes in turn. He wanted them to understand the gravity of the situation, but also how much he valued their well-being.
