The hall was so quiet I was certain everyone could hear my heart beating in my chest. The princess wore a sulky pout while her older brother frowned at her. The emperor cleared his throat, projecting authority over the entire hall.
"I am aware of the many challenges your houses are going through and the tenuous stability of the empire. The church's plot and demon forces have strained our foundations to the root and have pushed us to the point of breaking. Even now, a week after this catastrophe, our people struggle to rebuild their homes and lives. Nothing is certain." The Emperor sighed and touched his graying hair, smoothing it behind his crown. "But our fathers did not get us this far by living in the past but working for the future. As such, I have called this banquet to commemorate the struggle and sacrifice demonstrated by friends and allies of this empire. Many lives were lost, but even more were saved. I offer you who fought and sacrificed my humble thanks."
