[A/N: Heads up—this chapter is mostly character-focused and doesn't move the main plot forward much.
If you're here mainly for action or progression, feel free to skip this one.
That said, it does explore some character dynamics (Alden & Amyra) and drops a small hint for later… ]
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Alden entered the banquet hall—and yeah, it was luxurious.
He didn't know how else to describe it.
Colorful chandeliers hung from the ceiling like they were trying to make even the stars jealous.
People walked around the hall in expensive clothes, laughing and chatting like they were in the middle of some fairy tale.
Hundreds—no, probably thousands—of waiters walked through the crowd with trays of glowing wine and weirdly-shaped appetizers that probably cost more than a year's expenses for a commoner.
His eyes scanned the room. He even saw some familiar faces.
But he ignored them politely.
The Draven family was here… although Alaric himself wasn't present.
