Chapter 3: Crown Prince Leonard Lawson
As Leonard stepped past the grand threshold of the ceremonial hall, all eyes locked on him.
There were noble officials, each holding a sustainable amount of power within the Aldros Empire. The current Valdoria Continent was ruled by the Aldros Empire.
Feeling the numerous gazes, Leonard remained composed and inspected his surroundings.
The majestic interior was draped in crimson and gold, opulent banners fluttering subtly in the breeze drawn in by open archways.
Towering marble columns lined the path to the dais, upon which the emperor’s throne resided—an intimidating structure forged from celestial silver, dragonbone, and enchanted obsidian. It shimmered faintly with ancient runes.
The nobility filled both sides of the aisle, men of high status clad in dazzling robes adorned with sigils and family emblems. Their expressions were unreadable masks, yet Leonard could feel the waves of scrutiny, doubt, and veiled hostility pressing down on him like invisible weights.
Among the crowd, his elder and junior brothers stood at the front, their regal bearing and polished uniforms drawing much attention. They said nothing, but their eyes showed a cold and indifferent tone.
’So these are the main competitors,’ Leonard thought as he walked. Each one of them could potentially be the culprit of the recent poison incident.
With each step he took toward the raised platform, the music swelled, crescendoing just as he came to a halt before the emperor’s throne.
Sitting atop that grand seat was Emperor Aldros, a man of formidable presence and austere majesty.
His eyes were very piercing and severe as he surveyed Leonard with an unreadable gaze. Clad in a dark robe adorned with the sigils of the imperial phoenix, the emperor looked more like a war-hardened general than a ceremonial figurehead.
The music died down, and silence reclaimed the hall.