The bloodline ritual was about to start. Abrielle was the only one standing in the centre of the court. Two aides approached her with a gold bowl they held up on a pedestal.
She recognised one of them as the scholar from the library. Their expression was blank and unreadable. They placed the pedestal before her, then bowed before the Emperor before backing away.
On the small pedestal, there was a bowl filled with a gold liquid, and beside it, there was a dagger, intricately crafted from a glowing red magic stone and inlaid with smaller enchanted gems. The blade was made from a red magic stone, and the handle was gold with patterns she didn't understand, which added to its beauty and was decorated with small stones.
She glanced at the emperor, awaiting his instructions. Their gaze locked once again. The emperor stood from his throne, his eyes darting around the room.
