Lirael, seated at the head of the council table, glanced at Aiden. "We've stabilized our immediate borders, but our spies report movement in the neighboring realms. Some have noticed our rapid growth and are either curious or wary."
Aiden nodded, resting his elbows on the table. "It was bound to happen. No kingdom expands without drawing attention. The question is, how do we control the narrative before someone else spins it for us?"
Before Lirael could answer, a messenger hurried into the chamber, bowing deeply. He held a scroll bearing an unfamiliar insignia—a silver crest shaped like a celestial spiral.
"This just arrived, Your Majesty," the messenger announced. "It was delivered by an envoy from the Celestial Court."
The council fell silent. The Celestial Court was a name spoken in hushed tones, often associated with authority and power beyond what most kingdoms could comprehend.
