Esme – POV
With every step toward the King's courtroom, my resolve hardened. The stoic expressions of the Imperial Palace guards shifted to surprise as I approached the gate.
"Greetings, Moon of the Eastborne—Empress Esme," they said, bowing with a curtsy.
"Let me in."
Inside, I could hear the tension in the voices echoing through the chamber. Thanks to dragon sensory ears.
The guards hesitated, but one sharp look from me and they straightened, stepping aside to open the grand doors. As they swung open, the checker-tiled floor stretched ahead of me, the guards stiff as statues, their eyes the only things that moved.
At the far end stood King Liam's throne, flanked by four of his Royal Sentinels. Behind him, the crimson flag of Eastborne hung proudly, golden dragons embroidered into the fabric.
A long red carpet stretched down the center aisle to the throne, where Liam sat, cold-eyed as he listened to the nobles. But then, his gaze shifted—and softened—when it landed on me.
