After the emotional reunion with my family, I felt the familiar weight of social obligation settling around me like a familiar cloak. The gathered rulers of the world had come here specifically to acknowledge what I'd accomplished, and it would be both rude and politically unwise to ignore them completely.
"I should make the rounds," I said quietly to my family, noting how Stella was practically vibrating with excitement at being surrounded by so much concentrated power. "The continental leaders traveled a long way to be here."
"Go handle your diplomatic duties," Alice said with maternal understanding, though her grip on my arm lingered just a moment longer than necessary. "We'll be here when you're done with all the formalities."
I approached the cluster of rulers with measured steps, feeling their enhanced senses tracking my every movement. Even without the Crown of Twilight manifesting, my transformed presence was unmistakable to anyone with sufficient perception.
