Outside the glimmering gates of Valorian's noble district, two golden chariots could be observed under the sun, each pulled by white-plumed horses and surrounded by bored, armored knights. The richer of the two was unmistakable: a high, arched roof carved from rare woods, inlaid with gold filigree and sapphire trim. Velvet curtains blocked the view inside, but every passerby already knew who it belonged to.
Duchess Maerina Ravenshade of the Ravenshade duchy. She sat with her legs crossed, adorned in layered silks too thick for the weather, with a diamond-studded fan lazily moving in one hand. Three lady servants fanned her with feathered fans from different angles while another silently dabbed her brow with a chilled cloth.
Still, she was scowling.
"Ridiculous!" she growled, making the servants flinch. "The sun is scorching. Where is my husband? Does he think I have nothing better to do than bake under this wretched sky?"
