After an exhausting battle of wits and suggestions in the throne room that lasted nearly two hours, the nobles finally dispersed that even Grand Duke Arwen was no exception. Zalyric didn't bother entertaining his daughter, Celestine, who was betrothed to him, despite there still being plenty of candidates vying for the position of empress.
Meanwhile, Evan stayed outside the room where Rowan was resting, drifting in and out of consciousness from fever and heat. As a beta, Evan couldn't truly gauge how severe Rowan's heat cycle was.
When Zalyric finally appeared in the hallway, walking toward Evan, the latter straightened his back and greeted him respectfully.
"How did the meeting go, Your Majesty?"
Zalyric walked past him, prompting Evan to instinctively open the door.
