Elara halted in front of the hall doors where the Celebration Feast was being held. They were slightly ajar. The knights and guests had already gathered inside, including Princess Trisha.
Her hand hovered, reluctant to push the mahogany handle. The conversation drifting through made her hesitate. Stepping in now would be awkward.
"If not for Princess Trisha's army, we'd have been crushed on the battlefield," said a knight.
"Oh, Your Highness, we're deeply in your debt," another praised.
"We're honoured you'll be part of this gloomy March."
"This March hasn't been gloomy for a while now, thanks to our Marchioness," a lower-ranking knight called out.
"Too right… Her Grace Elara even created jobs and made us the first self-sufficient March," another chimed in.
"She even helped fund the war."
"Indeed. Her Grace Elara is like a glittering jewel in this dull borderland."
