The next morning—
Aliena woke to voices outside her room.
Loud voices.
Very loud voices.
Specifically—
Rael and the wedding planner.
Again.
"Absolutely not."
"Your Highness, the flowers are important."
"They are plants."
"They symbolize eternal devotion."
"They symbolize being plants."
Aliena buried her face in her pillow.
The wedding planner sounded seconds away from tears.
The palace, unfortunately, was functioning exactly as expected.
A knock sounded on her door.
Before she could answer—
the door opened.
And Sebastian stepped inside.
Immediately—
everything felt quieter.
Not because the argument outside had stopped.
It hadn't.
Rael was currently explaining why flowers were a conspiracy.
But Sebastian had that effect on her lately.
The world seemed to soften whenever he entered a room.
His gaze found her instantly.
Still sitting in bed.
Hair slightly messy.
Half awake.
And for one brief moment—
he simply stared.
Aliena noticed immediately.
