The feast (4)

The envoy, resolute and unflinching, had come bearing a gift from Despot Andronikos, the new ruler of Epirus. Yet, the shadow of past betrayals and hostilities loomed large in the room, casting a pall over what should have been a moment of amity and goodwill. The memory of the treacherous plot that led to the death of Lord Philip Chignolo still haunted King Conradin, making him wary of any overtures of peace.

"It is now or never," Lucas mused, his mind filled with the belief that he had a genuine opportunity to mend the rift between Epirus and Sicily. "After all, the new king has just ascended to the throne. Perhaps, he needs some time to stabilize his reign, and during this period, he might be more willing to accept the status quo for a few years."