In the grand dining hall of Eldoria's ancient palace, where the shadows of dusk began to dance upon the high stone walls, King Alistair sat rigidly at the head of the long, ornate table. His fingers tapped an impatient, silent rhythm on the dark wood, each tap echoing the racing of his heart. Arrayed before him, the table gleamed with polished silver and crystal, the setting sun casting long, golden streaks across the meticulous arrangement of goblets and plates. It was a setting befitting a queen, intended for Queen Lilith of Rivoria, whose arrival was imminent.

Alistair's blue eyes, usually sharp and commanding, now flickered with a turbulent mix of determination and doubt. This evening was the culmination of weeks of secret planning, draped under the guise of peace talks. Yet, as the moment approached, the weight of his intentions pressed heavily upon him. Around his neck, hidden beneath the fine fabric of his royal tunic, hung a locket containing a miniature portrait of his late parents—a stark reminder of the vengeance he sought.

The hall was filled with the soft clatter and shuffle of servants making final preparations, their movements a stark contrast to Alistair's stillness. His gaze occasionally drifted to the grand doors at the end of the hall, anticipating the arrival of the Rivorian delegation. With every minute that passed, his resolve hardened like the cold stone beneath his feet.

As the echoes of distant footsteps heralded Queen Lilith's approach, he straightened his back, the king's mantle heavy on his shoulders. Tonight, he would smile and offer toasts, all the while dancing on the razor's edge between peace and retribution. In his heart, the lines between justice and vengeance blurred, a storm brewing behind the calm of his royal demeanor.