As the banquet proceeded, the nobles began to filter out from their groups, forming a steady line toward the royal family. One by one, they approached the king, queen, and their children, bowing low as they offered extravagant gifts and long-winded blessings. The procession was slow and tedious, each noble seemingly trying to outdo the other in their displays of wealth and reverence.
His gaze swept the room, searching for the one person who had been on his mind all evening. It didn't take long to find him. Thorne stood near the far wall, his broad frame unmistakable even amidst the crowd. He was leaning slightly on his cane, looking extremely unapproachable.
Without hesitation, Noelle made his way across the hall, weaving through clusters of nobles who were too absorbed in their conversations to notice his departure. He approached Thorne quietly, slipping into his line of sight just as the general's gaze flickered toward the procession of nobles once more.
