"He says the court will accept your manner of respect," he said. "You will proceed as you are."
Villeneuve gave a short nod.
"That will suffice."
The official continued speaking, now shifting back to procedure. Instructions followed in sequence—when to enter, where to stop, when to speak, when to remain silent. Nothing was left vague. Two attendants stepped forward to reinforce the directions, pointing toward the inner hall and marking the exact distance where Villeneuve was to stand.
When the explanation ended, the room fell quiet again.
Then the doors opened.
—
They were led out of the chamber and into a wider courtyard that faced the main audience hall.
The structure stood elevated on a stone platform, reached by a set of broad steps. Red columns lined the front, supporting a long roof of yellow tiles that extended outward to form a shaded entrance. Guards stood at the base of the steps and along the edges of the platform, their positions fixed and evenly spaced.
