The first light of dawn slipped over the black rooftops of the capital, casting a faint golden glow across the enormous palace walls.
Inside the palace, however, the atmosphere remained relaxed. Atheline and Lilith had breakfast with King Seragus and Lucifer before their departure.
The meal was considerably less formal than the welcoming banquet from the previous evening. There were no ministers seated around them and no diplomatic discussions. It was simply a final breakfast.
Lucifer, however, seemed incapable of sitting still. His eyes kept drifting toward Atheline. Eventually, Lilith noticed.
"You really are impatient."
Lucifer laughed.
"I've been waiting for this duel since yesterday."
Atheline calmly continued eating.
"You could have challenged me after breakfast."
"That's exactly what I'm doing."
Lucifer looked toward his father.
"Father, you aren't going to stop us, are you?"
Seragus laughed.
