Morning returned to the palace with a different kind of excitement.
The bells of the capital had barely stopped ringing from the Court Declaration when preparations for the next royal rite began.
Across Northern Valenridge, word had spread quickly.
The Ember Offering would take place today.
Inside the palace courtyard, servants moved quickly between long stone tables, laying out ceremonial cloths embroidered with ancient symbols of the kingdom.
Golden braziers were placed around the courtyard circle. Each one carried a slow-burning flame, its smoke rising gently into the cool morning air.
This was not a simple family gathering.
This was one of the oldest traditions of Northern Valenridge.
The moment when the groom's house formally approached the bride's house.
Vivian stood beside her mother, Elara, near the stone archway that led into the ceremonial courtyard.
