The night of the royal ball arrived like a storm dressed in velvet.
Across the Empire of Xirudah, the air shimmered with anticipation. Carriages lined the obsidian streets like a procession of stars, their glass wheels reflecting the jeweled lights that hung above the capital. From the spires of the Celestial Palace to the gilded bridges over the river Fian, every corner of the city seemed to pulse with life, music, and meaning.
This was no mere festivity, it was a declaration. A dance of power disguised as elegance. The empire's alliances would not be sealed in ink tonight, but in glances, smiles, and the choreography of hidden intentions.
