When the king stepped into Mindis Hall, Thales struggled with his breathing.
He felt a slight chill as his knees planted onto the carpet of Mindis Hall.
The sound of numerous footsteps came from the front; one set was advancing steadily ahead while the others followed intermittently.
Thales heard his own breathing clearly and realized for the first time that it sounded so harsh.
"Rise, everyone," a familiar voice ordered, dignified as before.
"This is a banquet, not the Imperial Conference—that bunch of old geezers is annoying enough."
No one dared respond.
For a brief moment, it was as if the Duke of Star Lake was transported back to six years ago, when he first entered Mindis Hall naively.
It was the first time he met King Kessel. The solemn atmosphere seemed so heavy it could crack the floor tiles, which made the then child beggar uncomfortable and unable to speak.
