The Imperial Summons
The Imperial Palace's communication chamber hummed with magical energy as encrypted messages flowed between the capital and distant territories. Military dispatches, trade reports, intelligence briefings—all the mundane business of maintaining an empire that spanned multiple continents.
But one message that arrived in the early afternoon was anything but mundane.
Princess Elara stood in her private quarters, staring at the sealed envelope bearing her mother's personal crest. The wax seal was dark purple, almost black, pressed with the imperial sigil that marked this as an official summons rather than casual correspondence.
She'd been expecting this for weeks, ever since word of her unauthorized journey to the frontier regions had reached the capital through unofficial channels. The Empress didn't appreciate her eldest daughter's tendency to ignore protocol and do whatever she deemed necessary regardless of permission or propriety.
