Chapter 313: v4 - 14: final preparations I

Chapter 313: v4 Chapter 14: final preparations I

Marian woke before sunrise.

The first thing she noticed was the empty space beside her.

She sat up slowly and glanced toward the adjoining dressing room.

Light spilled faintly through the open doorway.

Adrian was already awake.

Marian slipped from the bed and crossed the spacious chamber, entering the dressing room where an attendant was making the final adjustments to his clothes.

She stopped at the doorway.

"You should have woken me."

Adrian glanced at her through the mirror.

"It will be a long day."

His tone was calm.

"You should rest while you can."

Marian gave him a small pout.

"But I wanted to help."

"I know."

There was something quietly considerate in the answer that made her soften.

He had thought of her.

He knew how long the day would be, and he had deliberately let her sleep.

Marian stepped closer.

The attendant finished fastening the last button and stepped away.

Marian approached Adrian and looked him over.

He was wearing a dark Imperial riding coat, sharply tailored and formal enough for the occasion.

"You look good."

Adrian glanced at her.

Marian’s eyes moved over him once more.

Then she smiled.

"But I think I can make it better."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

Marian turned toward the wardrobe before he could answer.

He watched her without comment.

She disappeared briefly among the neatly arranged clothes before returning with another coat draped over her arms.

She held it up beside him.

"This one."

Adrian looked at it.

The coat was ivory, richly tailored and unmistakably ceremonial. Gold embroidery traced the high collar and cuffs, while intricate Imperial motifs decorated the shoulders and chest.

It was elaborate enough for an Emperor, yet the pale color gave it a lighter, more youthful appearance.

Adrian regarded it for a moment.

"No."

Marian blinked.

"Why?"

"I’ll be riding."

She looked down at the coat.

"It’s ivory."

"Exactly."

"It will get dirty."

Marian considered that.

Then she smiled.

"It isn’t white."

Adrian looked at her.

"That hardly makes it practical."

"I know."

She stepped closer, holding the coat against him.

"But you would look very handsome in it."

Adrian said nothing.

Marian smiled sweetly.

"Please?"

A pause.

"Just this once."

Adrian’s expression softened slightly.

Then he sighed.

"Very well."

Marian brightened immediately.

"Thank you."

She helped him into the coat herself.

Once it was settled over his shoulders, she adjusted the collar and straightened the gold embroidery at his cuffs.

Then she stepped back.

Her eyes lit up.

"Oh."

Adrian glanced at her reflection.

"What?"

"You look even better."

"I looked fine before."

"You did."

Marian smiled.

"But this is better."

She walked around him, admiring the coat.

"You look like an Emperor."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"I am the Emperor."

"I know."

Her smile widened.

"But you look like a princely Emperor."

Adrian gave her a look.

Marian laughed softly.

"I mean it."

She touched the gold detailing lightly.

"You look younger like this."

"Do I?"

"A little."

She tilted her head.

"Very handsome."

Adrian simply looked at her.

Marian smiled, completely pleased with herself.

"I wanted to see you like this."

Adrian’s expression softened.

"You’ve given this considerable thought."

"Perhaps."

She adjusted his collar one final time.

"And I have something that matches."

Adrian’s eyebrow rose.

"You’ve already chosen your dress?"

"Yesterday."

Marian smiled mysteriously.

"It’s a surprise."

Adrian regarded her for a moment.

"Of course it is."

She laughed softly.

He glanced toward the clock.

"I should go."

Marian nodded.

"I know."

He turned toward the door.

She followed him only as far as the entrance to their private sitting room.

"I’ll see you later."

Adrian looked back at her.

"Later."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead before leaving.

Marian watched the door close.

It was still quite early.

She had plenty of time before she needed to begin her own preparations.

--

Adrian left the private apartments and made his way toward the Imperial Council Chamber.

The palace was already fully awake.

The preparations for the reception had been underway since the early hours, and by now, most of the work had passed into the hands of the officials responsible for it.

Adrian had no need to oversee every detail himself.

That was what his ministers were there for.

When he entered the council chamber, the Foreign Minister and several senior ministers were already waiting.

They rose.

"Your Majesty."

Adrian took his place at the head of the table.

"How are we?"

The Foreign Minister stepped forward.

"Everything remains on schedule."

"The Milician delegation crossed the final provincial checkpoint this morning. They should reach the southern gates shortly before the appointed hour."

Adrian nodded.

"And their arrangements?"

"Confirmed. The delegation will be received according to the program agreed upon by both courts."

"The King will be given the formal reception at the gates."

"Afterward, the procession will proceed through the capital before continuing to the palace."

Adrian glanced at the Foreign Minister.

"And the negotiations?"

"Their Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the first formal session will begin tomorrow morning."

"Their delegation has been informed of the Imperial position regarding the opening discussion."

Adrian nodded.

"Good."

Another minister stepped forward.

"The western guest wing has been prepared for their stay. Their principal officials have already been assigned quarters."

"The banquet arrangements are likewise complete."

Adrian gave a brief nod.

There was little else that required his attention.

The Empire had done this before.

Its officials knew what was expected of them.

The arrangements had been planned weeks in advance.

This morning was simply the final execution of those plans.

The Foreign Minister closed his folder.

"There is one matter, Your Majesty."

Adrian looked at him.

"The Milician delegation has requested no alteration to the established protocol."

"They will arrive as scheduled."

"Their king will be received by Your Majesty."

"Then the procession will proceed to the palace."

Adrian nodded.

"Very well."

The minister inclined his head.

"That is all."

Adrian rose.

"Then let us proceed."

The ministers bowed as he left the chamber.

Beyond the council rooms, the palace had already shifted into the formal rhythm of the morning. Guards stood along the principal corridor, while attendants and officials moved aside as the Emperor passed.

--

Tbc