Thalurian Empire Palace
The letter bore the seal of Aethelgard, pressed deep into crimson wax. The emprire's chancellor laid it upon the emperor's table inside his office room and stepped back with his head bowed, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Emperor Dorian von Thalurian broke the seal with a snap of his jeweled ring, his thick fingers curling around the parchment as if it were already an enemy's throat. He began to read. His sharp voice echoed through the chamber, the words tasting of mockery as he repeated them aloud for his council to hear.
