The visiting ruler's name was Cassia and she arrived the way impressive people arrived without trying, which was somehow worse than trying.
Aelara saw her come through the main reception doors and watched the room adjust to her presence the way rooms adjusted to people who had a natural pull. Not loud. Not performing. Just the specific gravity of someone who had been the most capable person in every room she entered for long enough that she had stopped noticing it herself. She was tall, dressed well without being overdressed, and she had the kind of face that looked better the longer you looked at it.
Aelara made herself a glass of water and assessed this calmly.
