The grand waiting room in Shin’s palace was an intimidating space, much like its master. High arched windows bathed the room in a cold, golden glow, while dark red and black drapes hung heavy against the walls. The air was silent, save for the occasional caw of Kuro, perched above on a carved wooden beam.
Shin sat on an elaborate black and gold chair near the far end, his posture rigid. One leg crossed over the other, his sharp red eyes burned with irritation as they flitted toward the large gilded clock on the wall. His gloved fingers drummed impatiently against the ornate armrest, each tap a precise rhythm of his growing frustration.
— “How much longer,”
he muttered to himself, his voice low and venomous.
Kuro cawed softly, almost as if in agreement, tilting its head to gaze at its master. Shin’s gaze flicked to the bird briefly, his lips curling into a humorless smirk.
— “Even you know this is insufferable,”
he murmured, before returning to the door.
A servant cautiously entered the room, bowing deeply before speaking.
— “My lord, your spouse has arrived.”
As the doors opened, Shin rose with a practiced elegance, his tall, commanding figure cutting an imposing silhouette against the light streaming through the windows. His long dark blue-black hair swayed as he took a step forward, his piercing red eyes locking onto his spouse.
— “You’ve made me wait,”
he said, his tone dangerously smooth, each word laced with disdainful mockery.
— "I do hope the council finds your sense of time amusing because I certainly do not.”
Without waiting for a reply, Shin turned sharply on his heel, his long coat sweeping dramatically behind him.
— “Let’s get this over with,”
he said coldly, motioning for them to follow.
Kuro swooped down from the beam, landing gracefully on Shin’s shoulder. The raven’s sharp caw echoed in the waiting room, as if mocking the tension in the air.