King Seungho chuckled quietly to himself, "And to think I planned to gift a song…"
The moment was lingering, but court protocol called things to order again. A high ranking attendant walked forward, bowing, then raising his voice gently:
"The gifting shall now continue."
And so it did.
Next was Ebere.
The hall quieted as she rose.
Ebere had always carried herself with poise, always the calm within storms. As she stepped forward, her heels clicked softly against the marbled floor.
Her expression was unreadable but steady, her gift cradled in both hands.
A few in the crowd whispered softly.
"Is that Princess Ebere? I haven't seen her in public in months."
"She used to be Somto's shadow… wonder what she'll bring."
"She was the most vibrant one, right?"
"You don't remember what happened some months ago in the grand ball? She was completely overshadowed by her sister."
