The Emperor sat on his throne alone in the throne room, the lonely silence pressing against the gilded walls. Morning sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting prismatic patterns across the marble floor where the shadows of imperial banners danced. The air hung heavy with the scent of sandalwood incense from昨晚's ceremonies, and the distant murmur of the court filtered through the massive oak doors.

On the armrest of the sunstone throne, the Dawn Scepter glinted with embedded crystals that caught the light, each facet representing a province under imperial rule. A single scroll lay on the velvet cushion beside him—the morning's intelligence report from Prince Valerius, its seal already broken and its contents weighing heavily on his mind.

Three rapid knocks echoed through the chamber, breaking the silence with military precision. The captain of the guard appeared at the threshold, armor gleaming in the sunlight, head bowed respectfully. "Your Imperial Majesty, the Hexad Council awaits your presence in the Chamber of Radiance. They report urgent developments regarding the Shifting Sands border skirmishes."