At the edge of the capital, far from the stone towers and echoing halls of the royal palace, the small residence of Lady vale, Aurelia's mother still carried the scent of lavender and sunlight. Birds sang in the courtyard, fluttering over the stone path that led to the doorway, where the new young maid came rushing in, clutching a sealed letter with the king's sigil burned deep into the wax.
"My lady!" she gasped, bowing. "A letter from the palace — it bears the royal crest!"
Meriel, a now prideful woman, paused her stitching and slowly took the parchment. Her hands trembled as she opened it.
To Lord vale and his family,
His Majesty, King Malion of Nyxeria, requests the pleasure of your company for lunch at the royal palace this afternoon. A carriage will be sent for you at noon.
— By the Hand of the Crown.
Meriel's breath caught. "The king?" she whispered, eyes wide. Then, smiling with the sudden flurry of joy only a mother could summon, she called out, "Liora!"
