It had been a tense few days in the Imperial Palace of Nilfgaard. Rumors had swirled through the court: the lost heir of Cintra, long thought dead, had been found. Empress Emhyra var Emreis had great plans for him and was happy the search finally had concluded.

Now, in her private audience chamber, the boy was led in.

He was the right age. Right height. Ashen haired. His manners rehearsed to match noble bearing, but... something was off.*

Emhyra rose from her black-and-gold throne and stepped down slowly, eyes narrowed.

She studied him. Once. Twice. That close, she could see it immediately.

This was not the heir to Cintra. Not Cirillan. This was not her son.

But the court was watching. So was history.

She let silence stretch for a moment longer before offering a measured smile and extended her hand. She would use it to her advantage that the public thought this was the real Cirillan.

"You’ve been found safe at last… Cirillan." She took his hand gently. "From this day forward, you shall be known as Duke of Rowan and Ymlac, and you can show the people of Cintra to accept the protection of Nilfgaard." She said, as if informing him of his role that he would now have to play.