She took steady breaths as she looked around the room, her hands carefully laid upon the armrests of her luxurious seat. A throne that was not named as such, yet obviously served that purpose. Honestly, she would have preferred to sit on the tip of her seat, her legs ready to jump up and her hand on her weapon. But being seated in the throne meant to trust one's subordinates. Being on the ready herself would only serve to suggest she did not trust them with her life. Instead, she played the role of a calm ruler, keeping her emotions out of not just her eyes but her entire body language.

Not many in the room managed the same. So many people gripping swords, resisting the urge to whisper to each other. Sometimes eyes would flit towards her, then in shame quickly turn back to looking straight ahead, before flitting towards the main doors again. And when the knock came on those doors, about a third didn't manage to hide the way it spooked them.

The knights at the door kept their calm, quickly making the required exchange to open the doors. A ridiculous protection mechanism, but protocol when it came to guests that were either unexpected, undesired, or dangerous. And in this case, the main guest was all three. She barely caught herself when her hands were trying to grip the armrests tight, emotions flowing through her as a storm. Recollections of years past, both tender and sore.

The messenger came up towards her, wearing clothes that made clear no weapon could possibly be properly concealed within. At the appropriate distance he knelt, his eyes facing the floor as he made his report. "Duchess Verglas, I report that the heir of Duke Flameheart has arrived. He and his personal guard have surrendered most of their weapons and have submitted to peacebonding their personal blades. Marquis Flameheart has two swords on him, his personal longsword and a ceremonial greatsword, both bonded, as well as a sealed box with a gift for you. The Marquis has permitted his guard to stay behind and is awaiting your permission to enter."