The grand marble courtyard before the main entrance of the Royal Palace of Avaloria gleamed under the afternoon sun.
Two figures stood at the heart of the great staircase — Reynard von Crestvale, the Duke of the northern territories, and Serena von Crestvale, the Duchess.
The glittering banners of gold and azure fluttered in the wind, carrying the emblem of the empire high above them.
Reynard's arms were crossed, his expression visibly strained as his sharp eyes scanned the empty road leading from the city gates. His jaw flexed in irritation.
Serena, standing beside him in her pristine white and silver gown, finally broke the silence. "Are they still not here?" she asked, glancing sideways at her husband.
Reynard let out a grunt, nodding. "It's always a pain in the ass to deal with them."
'Tch… holy empire scum, always testing my patience,' he thought, his brow furrowing deeper.
