Chapter 48: Return of Grim Van Ambrose Part 2
Princess Liona stood on her balcony, watching the city below come alive with the excitement of the tournament. Banners flew from every tower, street vendors hawked their wares, and the inns overflowed with visitors from across the Empire and beyond.
At twenty, she had grown into a beauty that captivated all who saw her. Golden blonde hair cascaded straight down to her waist. She has high cheekbones, full lips that curved easily into a warm smile, and blue eyes that sparkle like the ocean. Her figure was the definition of perfection. An hourglass silhouette with generous curves in all the right places, a full bust that drew appreciative glances, and a slender waist that accentuated her feminine proportions. The kind of classic beauty that inspired artists and turned heads wherever she went. She embodied the ideal that many dreamed of in a partner.
A soft knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Enter," she called, not turning from the view.
"Still dreaming of escape?" Empress Alexia asked as she joined her daughter on the balcony.
Liona’s lips curved in a faint smile. "Always. Though I suspect the tournament crowds would make it difficult to slip away unnoticed."
"Indeed." Alexia studied her daughter’s profile. "You’re not dressed for the opening ceremonies."
"I’ll change shortly."
A pause stretched between them. It left an awkward silence.
"Max Luminaris has arrived in the capital," Alexia finally said. "He’s requested a private audience before the tournament begins."
Liona’s fingers tightened on the balcony railing. "Has he."