Those who knew her well could see the signs, though. The slight tension in her shoulders. The way her fingers rested just a fraction too precisely against the armrest of her chair. The almost imperceptible tightness around her eyes.
She was furious.
And she was already three moves ahead in whatever game she was playing.
The musicians, positioned in a gallery overlooking the hall, held their instruments ready. The servers lined the walls, prepared to spring into action the moment the signal was given. The guests had settled into their seats, conversations buzzing with speculation and barely contained excitement.
Everything was ready.
Everything was waiting.
And then, with perfect timing that suggested someone had been watching for exactly this moment, the trumpets sounded.
Not the gentle announcement of a course arriving, but the formal, resounding call that signaled the Emperor's entrance.
The effect was immediate and absolute.
