The Empress Dowager watched her closely. She was impressed by Elara's manners and her calm voice. She stepped forward and reached out to take Elara's hand to help her stand up.
The Empress Dowager smiled warmly. "Rise, child,"andshe patted Elara's hand gently. "You have traveled for a week, my dear. You must be exhausted from the sun and the dust of the road."
She turned to a group of maidservants waiting nearby. "Show the Princess to her chambers. Ensure she has everything she needs to be comfortable."
Then, she looked back at Elara with a kind but serious smile. "Rest now. We shall meet tonight for dinner. My son, Emperor Khavan, is currently busy with his generals, but he will join us then. It will be a private dinner—just the three of us."
Elara bowed her head again. "Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty. I look forward to it."
In the Guest Chambers
Anne, Elara's maid, followed her into a large, beautiful room. The walls were made of white marble, and the bed was covered in silk. The windows were open, letting in a warm breeze that smelled of jasmine flowers.
Elara sat on the edge of the soft bed. She felt a mix of relief and nervousness. She had a few hours to rest, but she knew that dinner would be the most important moment of her life. She thought about Khavan—the man who ruled this massive, golden world.
When the sun went down, Elara left her room. She met the Empress Dowager at the entrance of the grand dining hall. Elara greeted her again with a polite bow. The Empress looked beautiful in her gold robes, and she smiled when she saw Elara.
"You look refreshed, my dear," the Empress said. "Let us go inside."
They entered a large, magnificent room. The table was made of dark wood and covered with silver plates and tall candles. The room smelled of expensive spices and roasted meats. They sat down, but one chair at the head of the table remained empty.
They waited for a few minutes, but the doors did not open. The Empress Dowager sighed and looked at the empty chair.
"I apologize, Elara," the Empress said softly. "My son, Emperor Khavan, is late. He is often stuck in meetings with his generals. He carries the weight of the whole Empire on his shoulders."
Elara looked at the empty seat. She felt a little nervous. She wondered if he was late because of work, or if he was not ready to meet a new princess after losing his first wife.
Suddenly, the heavy doors at the end of the hall opened wide. The sound echoed against the marble walls.
Immediately, every servant and guard in the room bowed their heads deeply. Elara stood up quickly. Following her training, she performed a graceful curtsy, keeping her eyes cast down toward the floor as a sign of respect.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty," she whispered.
She heard the heavy, slow thud of boots on the stone floor. The air in the room suddenly felt different—heavier and more serious. The man walked past her, but because she was bowing and he was so tall, she could only see his black boots and the gold hem of his royal cape.
He did not stop to speak to her. He walked straight to the head of the table and sat down.
"You may rise," a deep, cold voice said.
Elara stood up slowly and looked toward the head of the table.
However, the shadows from the tall candles and the high back of his golden throne hid his features. She could see his strong silhouette and his hands resting on the table, but his face remained a mystery in the dim light.
The Emperor did not apologize for being late. He simply gestured for the servants to begin serving the food. The Empress Dowager looked at her son, then at Elara, trying to break the icy silence.
The room was very quiet. Elara tried to sneak a look at the Emperor through the shadows, but it was hard to see him. At the same time, she felt his eyes on her. He was watching her silently.
To break the silence, the Empress Dowager turned to Elara with a kind smile.
She wanted to make her guest feel more comfortable.
"Tell us, Elara," the Empress said softly. "The North is so different from our golden sands. What do you enjoy doing in your free time at home? What are your hobbies?"
Elara sat up straight. She felt the Emperor's presence at the end of the table, waiting for her answer.
"In Valerion, I spent a lot of my time studying the history of our people," Elara replied, her voice steady. "But I also enjoy walking in the pine forests and watching the stars. It is very quiet there, and the air always smells of snow."
The Empress nodded, pleased. "History and nature. A very royal set of interests."
She looked at her son, Khavan, to see if he would say anything. He stayed silent, but his hand tightened slightly on his silver cup. He seemed to be listening very closely to every word Elara said.
The Empress Dowager smiled at Elara, trying to keep the conversation going. "I hope you find the palace comfortable, my dear. We have tried to make it more lively lately. For a long time, the halls have been far too quiet and empty, ever since the last"
She paused for a split second, her eyes flickering toward her son.
It was a small comment, but the room went completely still. Emperor Khavan didn't finish his drink. He stared at the table for a moment, his jaw tightening.
Without a word of goodbye, he stood up. His heavy armor clinked as he turned away. He walked out of the room with long, fast steps. The large doors closed behind him with a heavy thud.
Once inside her room, Elara lay down on the soft, silk-covered bed. She was exhausted from the long journey, but her mind was racing. She tried to relax, but she kept thinking about the dinner and the mysterious Emperor she meet. Finally, her eyes grew heavy, and she fell asleep while wondering what the night would bring.