The Day Everything Changed

There were intermittent clouds that day but as Henry arrived at the palace, it seemed that the sun was approving of his rise to power. As he made it to the front, the sun gave a beautiful show and most of the clouds had disappeared. 

Before entering the large castle, he turned his head toward the light and enjoyed it for a second. There was a foreboding feeling that he wouldn't see much sun on the way to Chemois. The harshness of its winters was fresh in his mind even though it was years before that point. 

The moment he stepped foot inside, he was suddenly whisked away and the impression that he had free will was long gone. 

Each moment of the day was planned out and there were maids waiting on him hand and foot getting him ready to face the empire as the duke - which would be the first event of the afternoon.