The next day, the air in the capital was brisk with the promise of yet another day filled with the elaborate games of nobility. I adjusted the cuffs of my formal attire, a subtle nod to the expectations of decorum. The luncheon hosted by the Mideros family wasn't something I was particularly eager for, but alliances didn't forge themselves.
As I stepped into the hallway leading to the western wing, the light from the windows cast long, intricate shadows on the marble floor. The soft murmur of the castle's activities played in the background—a tapestry of voices, footsteps, and the occasional clang of armor. My thoughts drifted to the dynamics of the Mideros siblings, each as enigmatic as the other, and the careful balance I'd have to maintain around them.
