Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

The banquet began in the late afternoon, with Liam personally escorting the Starhaven delegation to the palace again.

As they had suspected, the coronation ceremony had already been held. This evening's gathering was mainly focused on the border negotiations. Upon entering, Carissa and Violet noticed that there were no other foreign emissaries present-only royals, nobles, and officials from various departments.

While they showed no hostility toward the Starhaven delegation, they weren't particularly welcoming either. Since a translator was needed for communication, conversations remained minimal, limited to simple greetings.

Just as they were settling in, Lisandra turned to the Starhaven delegation and remarked, "Today, we have guests from Nerathia joining us as well. They should be arriving shortly. I believe you will find that you have much in common."

Davis' eyes brightened immediately. "Guests from Nerathia? Who might they be?"

His excitement was understandable.

The weapons that Isaac had brought to Starhaven-Adrian's six-barreled matchlock and cannon carriage-were all based on designs from Nerathia. Davis had also heard that Adrian himself had traveled to Nerathia to study their techniques. As the Defense Minister for Starhaven, he was keen to learn as much as he could from them.

Nerathia had long been a model for Starhaven, not only for their advanced weaponry but also their methods of governance, which were far more progressive. Of course, their systems couldn't be entirely replicated, given the differences between the two kingdoms, but any opportunity for deeper discussion was one Davis would cherish.

Seeing the enthusiasm on their faces, Lisandra chuckled and replied, "You will know soon enough."

The banquet itself was likely to be long and tedious, but the prospect of meeting Nerathian guests had raised everyone's spirits.

Just as anticipation filled the air, a voice rang out across the hall: "Prince Faelan Aldridge, the Halcyon Monarch, and his princess consort, Lady Elysia Hart, have arrived."

gasped, his hand flying to his mouth in shock. He couldn't find the words to speak, though his eyes sparkled with uncontainable

spoke highly of him. To think she would meet

indifferent. They may have heard of the prince but had

eager anticipation, a procession of people entered, filling the room

of the leader of the group, they froze in place, utterly stunned. Wasn't that the man they had encountered at Victory Pass? The one who

with fierce expressions, whose appearances jolted fading recollections. Today, however, the men were dressed in fine, new clothes. They looked nothing like the grimy, ragged

was not the king of Nerathia, but his status there was unrivaled, and his reputation was well-known in other kingdoms as well. This made him a

held Elysia's hand and stepped forward, a broad smile on his face. He scanned the room

for such formalities. Please take your seat, Your Highness, Your Grace,"

his gaze to

he greeted, smiling. "It seems we've

identities had already been discovered long ago. The meal they had shared together had likely been part of a carefully planned move to establish a

surprised. "Have you

passed through Victory Pass,

Spencer who kindly gave us

responded with a smile. "It seems

meal with someone

with Elysia in