New arrival
On a secluded balcony overlooking the vast grounds, two figures stood entwined, wrapped in a single blanket that barely concealed their nakedness.
Liliana Naemarys, now Liliana Kaezhlar, gazed at the horizon with wonder in her eyes, her long silver hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. Her curves were hard to miss even with the blanket covering her figure.
Beside her, Lorryll Kaezhlar, her newly wedded husband, held her close, his strong arms a fortress of warmth against the cool morning air. His dark eyes, the colour of burnished copper, swept over the bustling activity below them.
The Kaezhlar clan's eldest son's wedding had been a spectacle unlike any other, and even now, as dawn broke, the celebrations showed no sign of abating. The estate grounds, spanning at least five to ten acres, teemed with life. The estate's majestic gardens were filled with colourful flowers and exotic plants, while servants scurried about preparing for the day ahead.
Servants scurried about, clearing the remnants of the previous night's feast. Knights in gleaming armour patrolled the perimeter, their chainmail clinking softly with each step.
Massive warhorses, their coats gleaming in the early morning light, the knights riding in a uniform formation, ready to depart on their daily rounds. The estate was a hive of activity, bustling with energy and anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.
In the distance, a menagerie of groups of beasts caught Liliana's eye.
Knights who dressed in gold armour stood proudly alongside enormous wolves, their silver fur rippling in the breeze. A group of scaled reptilian mounts—draykhounds, as they were called—snapped playfully at each other, their riders struggling to keep them in check.
Lorryll's voice, deep and rich like warm honey, broke through Liliana's reverie. "Dear wifey, how about we move to our own place?"
Surprised, Liliana turned to face him, her emerald eyes wide with curiosity. "Can we go from here?" she asked her voice a mix of excitement and hesitation.
Lorryll nodded a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We can."
Liliana's heart raced at the prospect. She had always known that marriage would bring changes, but the sudden possibility of leaving Sandornen. She thought she would be staying here, and now it would be her new home forever among the castle full of unknown people.
"But where would we go?" She asked, her fingers absently tracing Lorryll's chest.
Lorryll smiled, revealing a row of perfect teeth. "I have a surprise for you, my love. But first, we must keep our preparations in secret. The politics of our union are... delicate."
Liliana nodded, understanding all too well the complexities of their marriage. The union of the Kaezhlar and Naemarys clans was more than just a joining of two hearts; it was a carefully orchestrated political manoeuvre, designed to bring peace to two powerful houses that had been at odds for generations.
As they stood there, contemplating their future, a commotion from below caught their attention. A group of elven emissaries, their lithe forms graceful even in their haste, were being escorted into the main hall of the estate. Their arrival was unexpected, and Liliana could see the guards tightening their formation around the new guests.