Merlyn stared out of her office windows, hands folded behind her back and her face pinched in worry as she watched the sun sink below the horizon.
Tensions had been high between Aternia and its neighboring empire Nocturnastra, a country that had its roots in conquest, which had caused a great deal of fear among the Aternian populace. A fear of once again being in thrall to a tyrant that didn't care whether they lived or died, only how he could use them for his own gain.
So, in an effort to dispel at least some of that fear, Merlyn had invited Nocturnastra's emperor and his brother to visit with the intention of forging an potential alliance....through marriage.
The queen inhaled deeply at the thought, her right hand absently going to her left to twist the golden band there; Merlyn had been a widow for a decade now and while the pain of her husband's death had lessened there were days where she felt his loss deeply. And even now she wasn't sure if she was ready to invite another person into her heart, to let another person warm the left side of her bed and maybe take them into her arms at night; to comfort another man and to provide comfort in turn.
To do all the things with someone else that she'd done with Gerron.
'Love again'
Merlyn shakily exhales as she remembers her beloved's final words to her, resolve straightening her spine. She would try, for her sons, for her friends and kingdom, and for Gerron, she would try.
Her ruminations are interrupted by a knock at the door and then a deep voice, her eldest son's voice.
"Mother? The Emperor and his contingent have arrived. The Archon's are waiting in the throne room."
"Thank you Ignatius, I'll be right down."
Merlyn waits for her son's retreating footsteps to fade away before turning around and walking over to the full length mirror she'd had brought up a few hours before. She smooths out the A-line skirt of her gown; an off the shoulder thing of gray blue silk and the long sleeves made of elaborate lace work. Her brunette locks had been pulled back into an elegant twist, a few strands having been left to frame her face and delicate crown of silver studded with pearls and diamonds. The only other jewelry she wore was the Heart of Aternia itself, a teardrop shaped gem that resembled an opal attached to a thin filigree of silver chain. The jewel glowed softly and a comforting ethereal voice echoed in her mind.
"I'm here sister. Whatever you decide after tonight, you have my support."
Those words are enough to bring a smile to the queen's face.
"Alright, let's do this."
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Iona Palace's Great Hall had been outfitted splendidly for the Emperor's visit.
Sapphire blue banners bearing the Aternian emblem of a maple tree were hung from the ceiling and the crystal chandeliers sparkled in the soft lighting. A blue carpet runner had been rolled out, leading up to the large dais where five thrones sat; four of them were carved from fine white oak but the fifth one which sat in the center between them was carved from the very same polished white marble as the floors, and draped in silver silk and soft cushions.
It was here where the queen sat, the four remaining thrones were positioned with two on either side of her and each were currently occupied by the Archons; all four of whom were staring at the immense double doors with stoney expressions.
Merlyn took another deep breath and pasted a well practiced smile. She wasn't about to be rude nor unfriendly, no matter how stressed or nervous she was it just wasn't her. The courtiers present in the Hall murmured and mumbled, waiting with bated breath for the foreign sovereign to make his entrance.
Merlyn's primary advisor Valen Frost bent down next to her ear and whispered, "You're Majesty? They're ready and awaiting your signal."
"Good, proceed."
Valen stood up and nodded to the doors. The majordomo clear his throat and banged his staff three times against the floor to gain the courts attention.
"Presenting His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Nivahn Nightterror of the Nocturnastra Empire. And his lord brother, Lord Caind'r Nightterror."
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