The soft click of the door echoed louder than it should have.
The royal study was warmly lit, thick with the scent of jasmine and old parchment. It felt like stepping into a memory—one she didn't own.
She stood frozen just past the threshold, her breath catching faintly.
Silken curtains swayed lightly with the breeze coming through the stained glass windows, which cast multicolored shadows on the tiled floor. A golden magical harp stood untouched in the corner, its strings humming softly in the quiet.
Evelisse immediately stiffened. 'Did I do something wrong? Did they find out about the dungeon? Or the rune? Oh no—what if it was some maid keeping an eye on me?!'
Queen Seraphina stood near the window, her back straight, hands folded in front of her, clad in a black gown embroidered with golden lilies. She looked like a portrait—regal, untouchable. For a terrifying second, Evelisse thought she was about to get the "Royal Disappointment" speech.
