The remainder of the banquet proceeded with slightly less of Sun's grandstanding. As the final course was served—delicate pastries filled with sweetened mountain berry cream—he rose to deliver what could only be described as a speech to himself, thinly disguised as a farewell.
"And so," he concluded after twenty minutes of uninterrupted self-congratulation, "I leave Lumiaren in capable if inexperienced hands. I have no doubt that my sister will maintain what I have built here, and perhaps, with time and proper guidance, even add modest improvements of her own."
Seraphina rose then, her movement fluid and graceful. The light caught in her silver hair and the pale blue silk of her robes, creating an ethereal effect that made several of the assembled officials straighten unconsciously in their seats.
