Wielder Of Time

The halls of the palace carried a different weight now. Though nothing had changed physically, Khione felt the shift in the air as she and Bella followed the steward toward the banquet hall. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, each depicting key moments in the history of the Isles of Azeroth—the founding of the kingdom, great naval battles, legendary explorers. The candlelight flickered against the golden embroidery, casting long shadows over the depictions of warriors and kings.

But Khione's focus wasn't on the art. It was on the hushed voices that carried through the corridors.

She had noticed it the moment they stepped inside. Nobles gathered in small clusters, their fine silks brushing against one another as they whispered in low tones, just quiet enough to be missed by those who weren't paying attention. But Khione was listening.

"An alliance with the Empire? That would only serve their interests, not ours…"

"The Queen may entertain the idea, but many of us won't stand for it."

"They act as though we are beneath them. Did you hear what happened during the meeting with the Duke?"

"The Empire is already powerful enough. If we let them in too far, we may as well hand them the keys to our kingdom."

The words slipped through the air like sharp knives, careful and precise, cutting through the polite façade that these noble gatherings tended to maintain.

Khione kept her expression carefully neutral, but inwardly, she was analyzing every word. 'So not everyone supports this alliance.'

She stole a glance at Bella, who walked just a step ahead of her. If the vice-captain had heard the whispers—and Khione was certain she had—she showed no reaction. Her pace remained steady, her gaze forward, exuding the same calm authority she always carried.

Khione, however, felt eyes on her.

Some gazes were fleeting, mere curiosity at the foreign noblewoman walking through their halls. Others, however, lingered too long to be considered polite. Measuring glances. Assessing.

It was a sensation she was used to. As the daughter of a duke, scrutiny was nothing new to her. Yet there was something different about this. These weren't just the careful observations of nobles eager to evaluate a potential rival or ally. There was something sharper in their eyes. Distrust.

As they neared the entrance to the banquet hall, a noblewoman in deep blue silks walked past them. She was older, with streaks of silver in her dark hair, her expression unreadable. Her presence was unassuming, yet something about her commanded attention.

As she passed, she murmured lowly, just loud enough for Khione to hear.

"Watch yourselves tonight. Not all are as welcoming as they seem."

Khione's steps faltered for the briefest moment, her head turning toward the woman. But the noblewoman had already disappeared into the crowd, lost among the flowing silks and hushed conversations.

Khione narrowed her eyes slightly.

She resumed her pace, catching up to Bella, who hadn't even paused. When they finally reached the grand doors of the banquet hall, Khione finally spoke.

"You heard all of that, right?"

Bella let out a quiet sigh, rolling her shoulders slightly. "Of course." She turned her head just enough to meet Khione's gaze, her green eyes sharp with understanding. "Be mindful of what you say tonight. This isn't just a banquet—it's another battlefield."

Khione inhaled deeply, straightening her posture.

The grand doors swung open.

The banquet hall was a spectacle of wealth and elegance. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals reflecting the warm glow of countless candles. The walls were adorned with deep blue and silver banners, the crest of the Isles of Azeroth displayed prominently.

Long tables lined the hall, draped in fine silk and adorned with golden candelabras, their flames flickering gently. The scent of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and exotic spices filled the air. Servants moved with practiced grace, refilling goblets and ensuring every noble's plate remained full.

Khione's eyes swept the room. At the far end of the hall sat the Queen of the Isles, a regal figure dressed in flowing navy-blue robes lined with silver embroidery. A delicate crown rested atop her dark hair, and her piercing gray eyes seemed to miss nothing.

She wasn't alone. Beside her sat the Prince, his expression unreadable, though Khione noted the tension in his shoulders. Further down the table sat Duke Everard, his ever-calculating gaze sweeping across the room. His daughter, Seraphine, lounged beside him, looking as if she would rather be anywhere else.

The murmur of conversation barely paused as Bella and Khione entered, though Khione noticed the subtle shifts in body language. Some nobles leaned in to whisper to their companions, others merely watched with mild interest, and a few regarded them with thinly veiled suspicion.

A steward approached, bowing slightly. "Lady Khione, Vice-Captain Bella, please follow me to your seats."

They were led toward the Queen's table, seated near the more prominent nobility. Khione's seat was directly across from Seraphine, while Bella was placed beside her, across from the Prince.

As Khione settled into her chair, she felt Seraphine's gaze on her. The noblewoman's lips curled into a lazy smirk.

"I must say," Seraphine began, her voice carrying just enough amusement to be noticed, "I didn't expect the Empire to send someone so… young."

Khione met her gaze evenly. "And I didn't expect to be seated across from someone so openly disinterested in politics."

Seraphine blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. "Fair enough." She took a sip from her goblet, the faintest hint of amusement still lingering in her eyes.

The conversation was interrupted by the Queen standing, raising a hand to command the room's attention.

"Tonight, we welcome our esteemed guests from the Asterios Empire," she said, her voice smooth yet carrying a quiet authority. "Let this banquet be a symbol of goodwill and open discussion between our nations."

There was a round of polite applause.

Khione could still feel the weight of the whispers lingering in the air, the undercurrents of uncertainty beneath the surface-level diplomacy. This wasn't just about food and pleasantries.

This was a test.

And Khione was determined not to fail it.