The morning room was quiet except for the soft clink of cutlery and the occasional rustle of paper. King Asterion sat at the head of the table with a newspaper open in front of him, though he had read the same paragraph three times without taking it in. Queen Asterion poured her tea with the deliberate calm of someone who had made peace with the day before it began.
Charles sat across from them both, reviewing documents. He had been up since before dawn.
"The engagement date has been confirmed," the Queen said, setting down the teapot. "The invitations have gone out. Your father and I thought it would be right to celebrate with you here, before the formal events begin in Amara. Some old friends of the family, a few of your own."
"Of course," Charles said, without looking up. "Whatever you think is best, Mother."
The King lowered the newspaper slightly. "How are the preparations coming along?"
