로그인The village square grew even livelier as the afternoon wore on. Colorful ribbons were tied between rooftops, musicians gathered near the fountain with violins and flutes, and long wooden tables were carried into the center of the square.Pearl looked around curiously. "What's happening?"Evren followed her gaze and smiled. "You picked the perfect day to visit. The Harvest Festival.""Oh, I completely forgot!" Rosalie's eyes lit up."Please tell me festivals involve food," Finn said, looking around excitedly."Why am I not surprised that's your first question?" Astrid sighed."It's an important question.""They also involve music, dancing, games, and local traditions," Lucien said, smiling without looking up from the pamphlet someone had handed him."I heard 'food' first.""I know you did."A cheerful woman carrying a basket full of flowers hurried over to them. "Your Highness!""Mrs. Elora," Evren greeted her, smiling."You've arrived just in time." She glanced at the rest of the grou
By midday, the village square had become lively. Merchants arranged baskets overflowing with fresh fruit, woven blankets hung outside small shops, and the smell of roasted meat drifted through the warm summer air. Children darted between market stalls while musicians played cheerful tunes near the old stone fountain.Pearl slowed her horse, taking in the scene. "It feels... alive.""That's why I like coming here," Evren said, smiling."It's peaceful.""It reminds me the kingdom isn't just castles and council meetings."As soon as they entered the square, several familiar faces greeted them."Prince Evren!" A middle-aged baker stepped out of his shop, wiping flour from his hands. "You've finally remembered we exist.""I was gone for four days," Evren laughed."Exactly.""Far too long."Rosalie leaned toward Pearl. "See? It isn't just his mother.""I'm beginning to notice a pattern," Pearl smiled.The baker noticed Pearl standing beside Evren and smiled warmly. "So this must be the famo
Breakfast ended with far more excitement than Pearl had expected. The moment the servants cleared the last of the dishes, Evren was already on his feet."We should leave before Father changes his mind."Eros looked at him over the rim of his coffee cup. "I heard that.""I wanted you to."The King shook his head, smiling. "You've become remarkably confident.""I learned from the best.""I'll decide whether that's a compliment later."Mira jumped to her feet at once. "I'm coming too.""No."She stopped short. "What do you mean, no?""I mean exactly that," Eros said, folding his arms. "You have lessons this morning."Mira turned to Freya. "Mother?""Your father is right," Freya said, sympathetic but firm. "You've already postponed them twice."Mira sighed dramatically. "Education is exhausting.""You haven't even started today's lessons," Lucien said, looking up from his tea."I'm already tired thinking about them.""I'll bring you something from town," Rosalie offered, and Mira's eyes l
The palace was already awake by the time the first light spilled across the eastern towers. Servants moved through the corridors with fresh flowers, polished trays, baskets of warm bread from the kitchens, while somewhere below the steady clash of swords rang up from the training grounds and birds filled the gardens with noise of their own.Pearl stood out on her balcony, taking it all in. The kingdom stretched out beneath her — snow-capped mountains catching the morning light, forests rolling out in every shade of green, and beyond them villages just beginning to stir, smoke curling up from their chimneys. She rested her hands on the cool stone railing. It was beautiful. Peaceful. For the first time in years, she'd slept the whole night through without waking to check for danger.A knock broke into her thoughts."Come in."The door opened just enough for a young maid to slip inside. "Good morning, Miss Ashbourne.""Good morning.""Her Majesty asked me to let you know breakfast is in
The royal library sat unusually quiet. Tall windows looked out over the moonlit gardens, and rows of books climbed into shadow beneath the high ceiling. A fire crackled low in the corner, filling the room with a warmth that made it easy to lose track of time — which was exactly what Lucien had done.He sat at his usual table with Elias's journal open in front of him, boxed in by a small fortress of history books he'd somehow talked himself into needing. He hadn't noticed the hour. He hadn't noticed the servants slipping in to replace the burnt candles. He hadn't even noticed the door.Not until a familiar voice cut through the quiet."I knew I'd find you here."A smile found him before he could stop it. Rosalie stood in the doorway, arms folded, watching him with fond disbelief."I was reading.""I can see that." She crossed the room and eyed the stack surrounding him. "Were you planning to sleep here?""I hadn't decided.""I think you had." She laughed, then picked up one especially
The palace gardens emptied slowly as the night wore on. Finn finally admitted defeat after Astrid told him that wandering the palace past midnight would almost certainly end with him lost somewhere in it. He protested for a solid five minutes before Rowan quietly offered to walk him to the guest wing."You're all against me," Finn declared."We're protecting the palace," Astrid said."I'm not that dangerous.""No." She looked him over. "You're worse."Finn laughed, falling into step behind Rowan. "I've decided you're my favorite person.""I wasn't asking.""I know. That's what makes it interesting."Their voices faded into the palace behind them.Lucien closed the journal under his arm and turned to Rosalie. "I was planning to spend a little while in the library.""Tonight?""I've been trying not to read Elias's journal since we got back.""I noticed.""I've shown incredible restraint.""You've complained about it six times.""Might've been seven."She smiled. "Go. I'll survive withou







