This time, the hall erupted into applause. The clapping was not deafening, not overwhelming, but it carried something stronger—trust. For the first time, Roland felt confident in himself as the next ruler of Eldoria. The great shadow that had loomed over him his whole life was gone.
Cold air seeped in through the windows but Roland felt warmth. For him, the sun could as well have bee shining.
The press conference was ended and an interaction between him and the nobles ensued. He stepped down from his princely throne and mingled among them, shaking their hands and accepting their sympathies.
Sigrid did the same thing, she moved along with Mauve, Brolin and Cosmos. Their eyes were focused and ears sharp, catching everything that was said to them.
***
Out in the streets, the citizens comforted each other, there were no more victory songs sung however, there was not much to celebrate when the royal family was grieving.....the empire was grieving.