Lord Marius sat alone in his study, the faint light of dawn casting long shadows across the walls, brushing them in shades of twilight.
The room was silent, save for the quiet crackling of embers in the hearth, casting a dim orange glow that did little to warm the heavy chill that hung in the air.
Shadows clung to his face, accentuating the deep lines of worry etched into his features. He hadn't slept a wink, and the weight of Lord Cavin's words still echoed through his mind.
"You have a choice, Lord Marius. Stop the wedding. Convince the emperor, or face the consequences of defying the emperor's orders all those years ago. The empire may have pardoned the Montclairs, but they may not forgive a noble who hid one within his estate, even then."
