The soon-to-erupt battle came to a momentary pause. All eyes turned toward the new being that had intruded upon the conflict.
"Your Grace," the Oracle intoned respectfully, bowing low. The celestial knights fell to their knees in unison.
Everyone present followed suit—everyone, that is, except the emperor. The nobles bowed only slightly, offering just enough to show submissiveness without humbling themselves. Marquis Alexander had long since fled, having anticipated the arrival of the celestial messenger. He had found a convenient excuse to vanish long before the divine presence appeared.
"Hmm… How dare you two act so ignorantly before me?" the celestial messenger asked, his gaze fixed on Brian and Chris. He made no mention of Elizabeth. Though he viewed her as no more significant than an insect, he dared not touch her—he could sense her bloodline, a descendant of Grey.
