Sixty-Eighth

"Somewhere more beautiful, huh? What did you have in mind?" She wondered with a bright smile.

Adrien's eyes lit up and he reached out to gently squeeze her shoulder. "Wait until you see it..." He murmured softly, voice full of excitement. "It's incredible..."

He began walking forward with purpose, his steps confident as he strode past the guards at the front door of a building she didn't recognize - neither by introduction nor design.

When he reached the center of the room, he turned and faced Emily again.

"Come."

She moved closer, joining him on his right.

As she did, the sound of voices filled the hall.

Men and women dressed in elaborate gowns and uniforms sat around the chamber discussing current affairs with each other in animated tones.

Mostly politics.

Some debating about recent news from foreign countries.

Others discussing about matters within Austerland, such as how best to manage taxation.