The fortieth day

On the fortieth day after the murder of King Emanuel de Lanark, the somber procedures of mourning in Emoria had finally come to an end. The flags of Emoria and House de Lanark, which had borne the weight of mourning in black, were now being removed by diligent hands, allowing the wind to carry them away. As the banners fluttered, it seemed as if the kingdom itself was exhaling, ready to embrace a new chapter.

The noble families, dressed in their dark attires as a sign of respect, stood in a solemn line by the grand doors of the Archduke's estate. Each family head, along with their members, had come to offer their heartfelt condolences to the grieving Archduke and his family. The air was filled with an atmosphere of solemnity and compassion, as the nobles gathered to pay their respects.