Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

In banquets like these, no one truly ate with much enthusiasm. Most dishes were merely tasted before being set aside, barely touched before servants whisked

them away.

But the Nerathians were different. They treated every dish with genuine respect, cleaning their plates entirely, no matter what was served. Their wine glasses, once filled, were immediately emptied again. The palace servants attending to them must have been exhausted, constantly refilling their glasses and replacing empty plates.

Violet recalled their meal at Spring Pavilion. Just like tonight, not a single scrap had been left behind. She wanted to say something to Carissa, but the only sound in the hall was the clinking of cutlery and the quiet shifting of plates. Speaking now would be too conspicuous.

Still, one glance between them was enough.

Violet's thought was clear-the Nerathians' presence at this banquet must be tied to the negotiations. Carissa agreed.

However, their exact role remained uncertain. Were they here to mediate and broker peace? If so, the treaty could be finalized swiftly.

Or were they here to back Orivenia? If that was the case, then this would become a drawn-out battle. With Nerathia behind them, Orivenia would have little reason

Starhaven's position at

earlier been brimming with excitement, now wore more somber expressions. They barely touched their food, though with everyone else still eating, they had no choice but to follow

they had ever attended. An eerie, foreboding silence hung

in the palace banquet, but each portion was very small. The servants came in one after another, placing dish after dish on the table, then quickly clearing them away. When someone tried to raise a glass

finished. Only then did the rest of the hall dare

before smiling and speaking in fluent Westic. Carissa listened as the translator relayed his words. He was offering polite praise-commending the exquisite flavors of the meal, the fine quality of the wine, and expressing gratitude for

had been back at Spring Pavilion, speaking as if they were native-born Starhaveners. Now,

mentioned that the Halcyon Monarch and his

Westic, leaving the interpretation to

has invited Prince Faelan to bear witness to the negotiations between our two kingdoms, in the hope that both sides may

A witness.

it mean? Were they here

"Starhaven welcomes Prince Faelan

that safeguards the interests of both kingdoms and spares our people