Duke Asher's coalition occupied the northern tier, right beside the chancel. Earl Mortaine sat with his silver-headed cane planted firmly between polished boots, his gaze sweeping the pews with indifference. Beside him, Earl Vex leaned in close to Viscount Horn, reviewing the sealed parchment of the emergency tribunal injunction.
"The royal observers are seated," Vex murmured, pointing with his quill toward the velvet-draped royal box.
There, Aurelius sat beneath the golden eagle banner, his yellow hair gleaming beneath the chandeliers as he adjusted his gilded pauldrons.
He exuded an effortless, pompous superiority, nodding curtly to the passing lords. Duke Asher was banking on the young Chosen One's presence.
The wider nobility knew little of the shadow Council pulling the strings of the Four Kingdoms, but Aurelius carried the direct ear of King Eric.
