The throne room was obscene with wealth.
Gold leaf covered nearly every surface, while threads of real gold ran right through the polished marble floor. Heavy tapestries lined the walls, each one showing off a victory won by the Royal bloodline. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, flooding the room with a warm light that made everything sparkle.
At the far end, raised above the floor on a platform of white stone, stood the throne.
It had been carved from a block of black obsidian and shaped like a mountain of thorns, with the Royal crest etched into its backrest in diamonds.
Emperor Regis sat upon it.
He had changed out of the white suit he'd worn at the garden gala. Now he was dressed in full royal regalia, a black military coat with gold epaulettes, medals covering his chest, and a crown of black iron and red gems resting on his head. His face was pale and his eyes were red around the edges.
