The next morning arrived quietly in the Astran castle.
The banners were hung with meticulous care, the corridors were clean and the ceremonial arrangements were all in place. The castle had done everything it could do and was now simply waiting for His Majesty to arrive.
Meanwhile, in the Duke's office…
A peculiar sight was unfolding.
A soldier knelt obediently before the duke's desk. He was young and road-dusty, his uniform disheveled as if he had made his way there as quickly as he could. He kept his head bowed, his hands rested flat on his knees, and waited in silence for the duke to speak.
The Duke sat behind his desk with the letter open before him.
"..."
He had already read the message twice. His expression did not change much between the first reading and the second, at least not in any obvious way. But there was a slight tightening around his eyes and jaw that had not been there before.
Something was off.
