The Great Hall looked like someone had dumped a jewelry box and a weapons catalog into a blender and hit 'pretentious.'
Nobles crowded every available space, their house colors clashing in ways that probably violated several treaties. Military brass rubbed shoulders with merchant princes. Court mages tried to out-mysterious each other with increasingly dramatic robes. The air reeked of fifteen different perfumes all declaring war on each other.
Aegis loved it.
"Look at them," she said to Lune, who was trying to become one with the wall. "Like peacocks. But with worse fashion sense and more money."
"They're evaluating us for potential sponsorships."
"They're shopping. We're the merchandise." Aegis straightened her uniform, making sure just enough cleavage showed to be scandalous but not enough to be expelled. "Might as well give them a show."
