Palace Night Talk, Temple Prayer

Night lay deep, its gauze-like darkness shrouding Lake Texcoco, while blazing bonfires rose all through the capital. The palace was bright with firelight, servants coming and going. In Rose Garden, cheerful singing and laughter drifted through the air, but inside the king's great hall, all remained quiet and solemn.

Avet sat upright on the throne, paper and pen in hand as he dealt with the alliance's affairs. His expression was indifferent; with the lift of his pen and a few strokes, he decided the life and death, the survival and ruin, of others. Only after a long while did he set down the feather pen in his hand and glance at the dim sky outside the hall.

"It's already this late..."

Avet's brows furrowed slightly. Having worked until now, he was indeed somewhat hungry. He instructed the guards in the hall.

"Go and see what Alisa is doing, and whether she has eaten."

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

The guard hurried away. Avet lifted a hand and rubbed the space between his brows. In a few months, the alliance would launch its great eastern campaign. Vast amounts of grain and military supplies had to be prepared and transported now, and the nobles and warriors of every region also had to begin mobilizing. The eastern campaign was a matter of state and army, a battle that could only be fought after years of accumulation, and it had to be planned with the utmost care.

A moment later, the guard quickly returned and reported respectfully.

"Your Majesty, the princess and His Highness are in the garden, eating grilled fish and singing. The princess and His Highness are both in very high spirits. There are musicians in the courtyard playing Bamboo Flute and Clay Xun, and the servants have also prepared many fruits