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The morning sun bathed the open patio in a golden glow, casting long shadows over the elegantly set breakfast table.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly brewed tea and warm, spiced bread, blending with the distinct aroma of roasted meats. The royal palace of Zektra prided itself on its rich and bold flavors— an aesthetic that mirrored the land's fiery heart.
Yet, despite the breathtaking spread, the air was thick.
Not with heat, but with tension.
The change of venue had been necessary, not just due to the increasing number of guests but to escape the suffocating atmosphere that had settled over the dining hall.
Elenoir had returned late last night, concluding whatever business had taken her away.
And though her arrival had sparked some of the unease, most of the weight in the air came from the man sitting at the end of the table, calmly reading through a stack of papers.
Riverus Arenied.
