The hall echoed with slow, heavy breaths.
Inside the grand palace of Phinixia, under golden chandeliers that had burned for three days straight, the kings and queens of the Unification finally rose from their seats. Their faces were hollowed from exhaustion, eyes sunken with sleepless deliberations, yet their steps were lighter. Triumphant. Not one voice dared protest, not one monarch walked away embittered. The long war of diplomacy had ended in thunderous success.
Some collapsed into their carriages without even removing their ceremonial robes. Others leaned on their aides, whispering calculations, estimates, dreams.
