As the hall filled with the kingdom's elite, the announcements grew more significant, the titles more impressive. The volume of conversation rose steadily, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter or clash of glasses.

  "Cassius Winters, Lord of Solstice Bay and Governor of the Eastern Province, and Lady Ariella Winters!"

  The announcement sent a ripple of awareness through the assembled guests. Lord Cassius entered with the confidence of a man who knew his own power, his silver-streaked dark hair contrasting with the deep blue of his attire. The Winters family crest - a silver snowflake - gleamed on his lapel, matching the pendant around his daughter's throat.

  And Ariella - my breath caught at the sight of her. She wore a gown of pale silver that seemed to capture and amplify the light, making her appear to glow from within. Her hair was arranged in an elegant coil at the nape of her neck.

  Lord Cassius bowed to me. "Your Majesty, you honor us with your gracious welcome."

  "Lord Winters, the honor is mine." I replied formally, before allowing my smile to warm as I turned to Ariella. "Lady Winters, you look absolutely radiant this evening."

  "Not half so radiant as our Queen." she said with a curtsy and a private smile. As she rose, she whispered, "Three hours with the stylist was clearly worth it. You look magnificent, though I suspect you're counting the minutes until you can take the pins out."

  "One-hundred-and-seventy-seven and counting."

  Lord Cassius's cold eyes swept the room, cataloging the attendees. "A fine gathering tonight, Your Majesty. Though I note our guests of honor have yet to arrive."

  "Ambassador Bellamy's ship docked only this morning." I replied. "I understand they required additional time to prepare for the evening."

  "Of course. The journey from Alba Colles is arduous, even in these modern times."

  Ariella added, "Father has been particularly interested in establishing stronger trade relations with the eastern peninsula. Haven't you, Father?"

  "The future prosperity of Magnolia depends on such connections." he said.

  Before I could inquire further, the head butler called out, "The Alba Colles Delegation, led by His Excellency Ambassador Raphael Bellamy, Count of Moresca!"

  The assembled nobility turned as one toward the entrance. I straightened my posture, sensing Lord Cassius shift slightly to my right. Ariella's fingers tightened around my arm before she released me and stepped back to the appropriate formal distance.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  The double doors swung wide, and the delegation entered.

  There were six of them in total, three men and three women. It was their clothing that stood out to me; the men wore plain-cut suits in black and charcoal with straight trousers, not one of them with a proper cravat, only those narrow, knotted strips, and their shoes gleamed with some varnish. The women's dresses had sleeves so short they showed the forearm, and the lines of their skirts hugged the body so closely I could see the outlines of their legs.

  Was this the fashion of the greater continent, or an Alba Colles peculiarity?

  But what was most certainly a quirk was the man at their front.

  Ambassador Raphael Bellamy strode into the hall. Unlike his countrymen, he had chosen an outfit that bridged our worlds - a modern-cut suit in deep emerald that complemented his olive skin, but with a white ruffled shirt. His hair was a vibrant red hanging low and swept artfully so that one dark eye was sometimes hidden, sometimes not, depending on the angle. A single silver ring glinted on his right hand, bearing an emblem I didn't recognize.

  He moved with languid grace through the room, his dark eyes taking in the decorations, the guests, and finally, me. A smile curved his lips as our gazes met.

  The delegation fanned out behind him as he stopped before me and bowed.

  "Your Majesty," he said, his voice carrying a melodious accent, "Alba Colles extends its warmest greetings to the jewel of Ynys. I bring the sincere admiration of our people and the personal regards of our Premier."

  He took my extended hand, but rather than the brief, formal touch protocol dictated, he turned it over and pressed his lips to my wrist just above the glove's edge. The contact lasted a heartbeat too long, his eyes holding mine with an intensity that sent an unexpected warmth spreading up my arm.

  "Ambassador Bellamy," I managed to say, "Magnolia welcomes you and your delegation. We look forward to strengthening the bonds between our nations."

  He straightened, still holding my hand. "The stories of Queen Lavinia's beauty have traveled across the Divine See, but I see now they were woefully inadequate."

  Before I could respond to this decidedly non-diplomatic comment, Ariella stepped between us, breaking our contact.

  "Ambassador Bellamy," she said, her voice warm while her eyes remained cool, "what a pleasure to see you again. I trust your voyage was less eventful than your last journey to our shores?"

  Bellamy's smile shifted, becoming more measured as he released my hand and turned to Ariella. "Lady Winters! As radiant as ever. Indeed, the seas were kinder this time, though no journey across the Channel Strait is entirely without excitement."

  "I hope you've had sufficient time to settle in after your arrival." Ariella continued. "The Queen has been most eager to discuss the trade proposals outlined in your correspondence."

  "Trade, yes." Bellamy agreed, his eyes sliding back to me. "Though I hope we might address more than mere commerce during my stay. Cultural exchange is equally valuable, wouldn't you agree, Your Majesty?"

  "Absolutely." I said. "I would be fascinated to learn more about recent developments in Alba Colles."

  Ariella's smile remained fixed in place. "The Ambassador must have many fascinating insights to share. Perhaps during tomorrow's scheduled meetings?"

  The head butler saved us from further diplomatic maneuvering by appearing at my side and clearing his throat. "Your Majesty, dinner is prepared. If you would lead our guests to the dining room?"

  "Of course." I said. "Ambassador Bellamy, we have a feast prepared. If you would so kindly come this way."

  The assembled guests formed a procession behind us as we made our way from the Great Hall. Crystal-powered sconces illuminated our path, their light refracting through prisms to cast kaleidoscopes across the floors.