Orion swallowed hard, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.
The guards at the doors stood at attention, their silver armor catching the dim light. Their expressions were unreadable, their presence commanding.
Orion couldn't help but whisper, "They look like knights from the tales."
"Focus, boy," Marius hissed. Orion was behaving like a child, but Marius understood. He pitied his grandson. This was Orion's first time seeing such grandeur, but it was beginning to get on Lord Marius's nerves. He wished Orion could control himself for now.
Lord Marius instructed one of the guards to inform the emperor of their arrival. The guard nodded and entered the study, leaving Orion and his grandfather waiting.
One of the guards stepped forward, knocking once before slipping into the study. Orion's heart felt as though it might burst from his chest as they waited.
