The palace had never felt more alive.
Golden banners fluttered from towering balconies, their silk catching the morning light as if the sun itself had chosen to bless the occasion. Flowers—rare, vibrant, and carefully arranged—lined every corridor, every hall, every archway.
Music echoed faintly in the distance.
Servants moved quickly.
Designers argued over details.
Guards doubled their patrols.
And at the center of it all—
A single truth stood firm.
Seven days.
Only seven days remained until the wedding of Aerion and Lyria.
Lyria stood in the middle of the grand hall, arms crossed, watching as a group of decorators carefully adjusted the arrangement of glowing crystal flowers along the pillars.
"…No."
The workers froze.
One of them turned slowly.
"…No?"
Lyria pointed.
"The symmetry is off."
"…It is?"
"Yes."
"…Where?"
She walked forward, fixing one small detail herself.
"…There."
The workers stared.
"…That was a difference of barely an inch."
Lyria turned back toward them.
"Exactly."
A pause.
"…Fix the rest."
"…Yes, Princess."
From a distance—
Aerion watched.
Arms crossed.
Expression calm.
"…She's terrifying."
A nearby servant nodded instinctively.
"…Very."
Lyria turned her head slightly.
"…I heard that."
The servant immediately disappeared.
Aerion didn't move.
"…I wasn't talking about you."
She raised a brow.
"Oh?"
"…I was talking about the flowers."
She stared at him for a second.
Then—
"…Liar."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
The phoenix sat comfortably on Aerion's shoulder, watching everything with bright curiosity.
"…What is happening?"
Aerion glanced at it.
"…Preparation."
"For what?"
"…Our wedding."
The phoenix tilted its head.
"…Wedding?"
Lyria walked over, crossing her arms again.
"It means we're officially becoming partners."
The phoenix blinked.
"…You already are."
Aerion paused.
"…That's not wrong."
Lyria smirked slightly.
"…See? Even it understands."
The phoenix suddenly jumped off Aerion's shoulder and landed in the center of the hall.
It looked around.
Then—
Walked toward a group of workers.
"Hello."
They froze.
"…Hello…"
"Have you seen my lovely papa and mummy?"
One of them whispered—
"…They're right behind you."
The phoenix turned.
"Oh."
A pause.
"…I found them."
Aerion closed his eyes briefly.
"…Of course you did."
Laughter spread quietly through the hall.
Even Lyria couldn't hold it back.
"…This is going to be a problem during the ceremony."
Aerion nodded.
"…A big one."
Hours passed.
The palace continued transforming.
Every corner filled with life, color, and anticipation.
Later—
In a quieter section of the palace—
Aerion and Lyria walked side by side through the garden.
The same garden where everything had begun to change.
The same place where peace still lingered.
"…Seven days," Lyria said softly.
Aerion nodded.
"…Yeah."
A small silence followed.
"…Are you nervous?" she asked.
He thought for a moment.
"…Not really."
She looked at him.
"…Not at all?"
"…No."
A pause.
"…Should I be?"
She smiled faintly.
"…Maybe a little."
Aerion glanced at her.
"…Are you?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…A little."
The phoenix walked between them again, occasionally fluttering its wings.
"…Why nervous?"
Lyria looked down at it.
"…Because it's important."
The phoenix nodded seriously.
"…Then it is good."
Aerion raised a brow.
"…That's your explanation?"
"Yes."
Lyria laughed softly.
"…I like it."
They reached the edge of the garden.
The sun was beginning to lower.
Casting long shadows across the ground.
For a moment—
They just stood there.
Looking at the horizon.
"…Everything is moving fast," Lyria said quietly.
Aerion nodded.
"…Yeah."
"…Too fast?"
He shook his head.
"…No."
A small pause.
"…Just enough."
She looked at him.
"…You're sure?"
He met her gaze.
"…I've never been more sure."
Silence.
But not empty.
Comfortable.
Real.
The phoenix suddenly flapped its wings lightly and jumped onto a nearby stone.
"…I like this place."
Lyria smiled.
"…So do I."
Aerion glanced at both of them.
"…Good."
Back in the palace—
Preparations intensified.
A royal meeting had been called.
Not just for celebration—
But for protection.
Inside the council chamber—
Lyria's father stood at the head of the table.
"…Seven days."
His voice was calm.
But firm.
"…We cannot afford mistakes."
The advisors nodded.
"…Security will be doubled."
"…Borders are already under watch."
"…No unknown entries will be allowed."
The king nodded once.
"…Good."
A pause.
"…And the prophecy?"
Silence.
No one answered immediately.
Then—
An older advisor spoke.
"…No further signs yet."
"…But we cannot ignore it."
The king's expression hardened slightly.
"…We won't."
Outside—
Unseen—
Far beyond the kingdom—
The sky darkened.
Clouds gathered.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Unnaturally.
Back in the garden—
Aerion stood beside Lyria once more.
The phoenix resting between them.
"…Whatever happens," Lyria said softly.
He looked at her.
"…Yeah?"
She took a small step closer.
"…We don't stop."
He didn't hesitate.
"…Never."
The phoenix looked up at both of them.
"…Together?"
Lyria smiled.
"…Always."
Aerion nodded.
"…Always."
The sun dipped lower.
The sky turned gold.
Then orange.
Then deep red.
Seven days remained.
Seven days until their union.
Seven days until everything would change.
To be continued...