Morning arrived slowly over Nacrifa.
Not bright.
Nacrifa was never truly bright.
The kingdom awakened beneath silver mist and crimson skies, the towering black palace glowing faintly under the dim light filtering through endless clouds.
But for the first time in days—
the palace did not feel suffocating.
No alarms echoed through the halls.
No barriers shook.
No abyssal presence pressed against the kingdom walls.
Instead—
there was noise.
Chaotic noise.
"THAT IS NOT A WEDDING FLOWER."
"That is literally a flower."
"IT LOOKS FUNERARY."
"YOU are funerary."
"Dineski, I swear to the abyss—"
A vase shattered somewhere downstairs.
A servant screamed.
Petiron burst into laughter loud enough to echo through the palace.
And deep within the royal eastern chambers—
Aliena slowly opened her eyes.
For several seconds, she simply stared upward at the dark velvet canopy above Sebastian's bed.
Warmth surrounded her.
Not magical warmth.
Him.
