The room was cold, the stone walls lined with ancient tapestries and the air filled with the faint scent of incense. Christina stood tall, her posture perfect despite the tension in her shoulders. Beside her stood Shennong, arms relaxed but eyes alert. Both were being inspected thoroughly by the royal guards, a standard procedure when being granted audience with the king.
"Have you ever met King Soris Sturgon before?" Shennong asked quietly, his voice low enough to not carry beyond the space between them.
Christina glanced sideways. "I might have. I was a child then, so I don't remember it clearly. But my father told me stories."
"What sort of stories?" Shennong asked with genuine curiosity.
Christina drew in a breath. "They say the King is a man of very few words. But every word that leaves his lips either changes the kingdom… or reshapes the balance of the entire continent. That's how powerful his words are."
Shennong raised an eyebrow. "So he's more powerful than Sir Juno?"
