The Royals were sitting on their thrones, with one Royal Guard standing on each corner of the raised dais. Nothing but the echo of the Valet's words accompanied the sound of the massive doors closing.
'I thought a private audience without the rest of the Royal Court would have helped me keep my composure but it's actually much more awkward.' Solus swallowed a lump of saliva.
Not only was she not used to confronting the pressure of the stare of the Royals, but everything around her reminded Solus of the Crown's authority and power. The ancestors of King Meron seemed to look down on her from their portraits, their silver eyes cold and unwavering.
"Come forward." Meron said.
The silence as Lith and Solus advanced made the shuffle of their steps on the soft carpet sound loud like drumbeats. With nothing to distract her, Solus became self-conscious and tensed up like a bowstring.