But through it all, what everyone would remember wasn't the rituals.
It was the way Heena and Larus looked at each other.
The way his eyes never left her face, filled with wonder and devotion.
The way she smiled at him with genuine warmth, letting her mask slip just enough to show real feeling.
The way they moved together, perfectly synchronized, as if they'd been partners for years instead of weeks.
When the High Priest finally declared them married, when Larus was officially proclaimed Emperor Consort with full imperial authority—
The crowd erupted.
Cheering, applause, flowers being thrown from the upper galleries, nobles rising to their feet in approval or resignation or acceptance.
And in the center of it all, Heena and Larus stood together.
The Empress in her revolutionary red gown.
Her Consort in his white and gold glory.
Partners.
Equals.
Together, they would change everything.
And the empire—ready or not—would follow.
