Chapter 78. Stand with Me

Nathan's POV

The grand hall of the Luparian palace unfurls before me, a living tapestry woven from the threads of power and opulence. On this National Day, the air is thick with anticipation, the kind that settles into your bones like an old, familiar song. I stand at the head of the room, the weight of the kingdom's gaze tethering me to this singular moment in time.

Polished marble floors gleam beneath my feet, reflecting the chandelier's light as if the stars themselves have descended to join our celebration. The walls, adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the victories and sorrows of Luparia's past, watch over us, their vibrant hues muted in the dim ambience. Each thread tells a story, a silent witness to the kingdom's heartbeat.

The scent of lilac and pine weaves through the crowd, a delicate dance of nature's perfume and the musk of nobles cloaked in their finest attire. Whispered conversations are laced with the clinking o