Queen Morwenna of Brittany and Queen Aelis of Burgundy approached the head table.
They were draped in exquisite dresses made of the finest crimson and azure fabrics, woven on the automated looms of Titan and imported directly through Ragnar Ulfsson's guarded trade routes.
Delicate, precision-crafted silver jewelry rested upon their necks and wrists.
Rudolf smiled proudly as his wife poured him another goblet of spiced wine. He placed a hand over hers, satisfied with his ability to provide such immense luxury for his family.
Like a true patriarch, he took deep pride in the fact that his submission had shielded his wife and children from the horrors of the Frankish wars, wrapping them instead in an unprecedented blanket of security and opulence.
"You look radiant tonight, my dear," Rudolf complimented. "It seems the Iron King's merchants have brought out the true beauty of Burgundy."
