Julian finally reached the doors of the Sunburst Pavilion. Two guards pulled them open, revealing the Emperor and the Duke already seated. The air in the room was thick enough to choke on, and Julian gulped.
One thing he was sure of was that his veil of the Commoner was useless to the Emperor. After all, for whatever amusing or threatening reason… The Emperor was interested in looking for him, using whatever reason available.
So even if he faded into the background, it was useless in the presence of the Emperor.
Aurelian was leaning back, swirling a glass of blood-orange juice, looking like a lion waiting for a reason to bite. Opposite him, Alaric looked like he hadn't slept a second.
But even with that tired look in his eyes, he still seemed the most imposing in the room after the Emperor.
