Chapter 8: Crashers at the Palace
Inside the Starlight Ballroom of the Sun Palace, Lord Julian Vance held court among junior nobles, laughing loudly.
“That commoner girl Aria thought she could defy House Vance!” Julian sneered, sipping imperial champagne. “I hear she was seen wandering the lower district with those two dirty peasants today. Tomorrow, she won’t even have a copper for bread!”
Baroness Chloe purred, adjusting her diamond necklace. “And tonight, Julian, we shall gain the favor of Princess Aurelia. Once House Vance is allied with the Crown, we can crush Aria like the bug she is.”
Suddenly, the fanfare of twelve golden trumpets echoed through the palace.
“Presenting His Imperial Majesty, King Arthur! Her Imperial Majesty, Queen Eleanor! And Her Royal Highness, Princess Aurelia!” the Grand Marshal bellowed.
The heavy oak doors opened. Flanked by a hundred Imperial Sun Guards clad in golden plate armor, the royal family entered the ballroom.
Julian, Lady Victoria, and Chloe bowed low, their foreheads almost touching the marble floor.
“Rise, my subjects,” King Arthur’s booming voice commanded.
Julian raised his head with a sycophantic smile, eager to catch his first glimpse of Princess Aurelia.
Standing on the high royal dais, clad in a gown woven of starlight silver and royal violet silk, carrying the ancient Sun-Scepter, was Aria.
Standing beside her, wearing the golden crowns of Eldoria, were the two “peasant” travelers she had defended at the wedding—Thomas and Mary, now revealed in all their regal glory as King Arthur and Queen Eleanor!
Julian’s smile froze. The champagne glass slipped from his fingers, shattering onto the floor.
“A-Aria?!” Lady Victoria shrieked, her face draining of all blood.
Baroness Chloe stumbled backward, gasping in utter horror. “The… the peasants… were the King and Queen?!”
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