Alina woke up before dawn, long before the first light touched the towers of the palace. She had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard the cruel words of the nobles from the throne room again. She felt exhausted down to her bones.
She stood up slowly and walked to the mirror. Laura had already prepared her court gown for the day. She had placed it in her room last night after Austin had left. The silver fabric was shimmering faintly in the darkness.
By the time she had bathed, morning light was filtering through the curtains. Alina stared at the dress once again and began to dress. Her fingers struggled with the clasps behind her back. The dress, despite fitting her perfectly, felt too heavy and tight somehow.
Then the door opened and Austin stepped inside, already dressed. He stopped when he saw her
fighting with the clasp.
"How long have you been struggling with that?" he smiled.
Alina exhaled tiredly.
