The day of the Royal Entreaty had finally arrived, a day that held the hopes and ambitions of men from every corner of the kingdom. From noble lords to esteemed knights, wealthy merchants, and even commoners of exceptional merit, they all gathered at the southern grounds of the imperial palace, a vast and majestic space where the kingdom’s finest had once trained and competed. The grounds were meticulously prepared for the occasion, banners bearing the royal crest fluttered in the breeze, and the marble pavilions gleamed in the morning sun. It was a setting worthy of the historic event that was about to unfold.
If Isabel had been breathtaking on the night of the solstice, today she was nothing short of divine. Dressed in an extravagant gown that shimmered with intricate embroidery and del
