جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 70

Lucien reached them first, closing the distance in a few quick strides. Relief was plain on his face despite the calm expression he tried to maintain."You were gone longer than we expected," he said.Evren smiled. "I was starting to think we'd never hear the end of it.""You won't."Rosalie crossed her arms, though the worry in her eyes betrayed the stern look she was attempting. "You disappeared behind a door that sealed itself shut. You could've at least warned us before vanishing into an ancient mystery.""I would have," Pearl said, laughing softly, "if I'd known."Rosalie's shoulders finally relaxed. "Good." She stepped forward and hugged Pearl without another word. The embrace caught Pearl completely off guard, and after a brief hesitation, she hugged her back. When they pulled apart, Rosalie looked away as if the moment hadn't happened."Don't make a habit of scaring me.""I'll try.""You'd better."Nearby, Lucien was already examining the braided silver cord around Evren's wri

The scent of freshly baked bread and roasted herbs greeted them long before they reached the dining hall. Pearl hadn't realized how hungry she was until her stomach reminded her — loudly enough that Mira heard it too.She turned with exaggerated seriousness. "I knew it.""Knew what?" Pearl blinked."You're starving." Before Pearl could defend herself, Mira hooked an arm through hers and started tugging her toward the dining hall. "You should never argue with an empty stomach."Evren watched the scene unfold with a smile. "I see you've been adopted.""I've noticed," Pearl said, glancing back over her shoulder.Mira looked thoroughly pleased with herself. "There wasn't much choice.""I should probably apologize," Freya said, laughing."I don't mind," Pearl said, shaking her head."I'm glad," Freya said warmly. "Neither do we."The dining hall was already prepared. A long oak table stretched through the center of the room, covered with polished silverware, steaming dishes, fresh fruit, r

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

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

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