Raiden barely had time to celebrate the peaceful zone Aeris's words had granted him. The next morning—supposedly fateful—he found himself summoned to the palace's courtroom by the high court.
Everything seemed usual with the six elders occupying their respective seats and the king maintaining the highest one among them, but two unfamiliar faces stood beside Raiden: a boy and a girl.
The boy had deep, glowing red eyes and rich brown skin, with dark purple, voluminous curly hair styled back with some strands falling forward. The sides were shaved and graying, showing refinement.
He was dressed in a deep maroon, double-breasted waistcoat with his white shirt sleeves rolled up to nearly his elbows, completed by an elegant black cape draped over his shoulders and various golden jewelry adorning his ears, hands, and neck, along with a black glove.
He smiled calmly and confidently, radiating warmth in his golden aura.
