Emperor Augustus stepped down from the royal carriage, the ornate wheels grinding to a halt on the polished stone tiles of the imperial courtyard. Cloaked in flowing robes that shimmered under the light of the twin suns, his presence alone demanded reverence. His knights, generals, and ministers instantly fell to one knee, their heads bowed in absolute deference, not daring to raise their eyes to meet the emperor's.
The minister of war, a man whose eyes had aged more from sleepless nights than from years, took cautious steps forward. "My lord, how was the peace talk?" he asked with a trembling voice, the weight of uncertainty hanging thick in the air. His heart pounded within his chest. He already knew the answer wouldn't bring peace.
