Trails of Light

"Well then, I shall take my leave now, Sir Riley. It was a pleasure getting to know you, despite the short time…"

Princess Sophiel's words lingered with a melodic grace, her poised demeanor unshaken as she stepped back, her movements slow and deliberate.

She offered me a light, polite bow, her purple eyes gleaming with unreadable intent.

I nodded in response, my face betraying none of the tangled thoughts racing in my mind.

As the massive doors to the throne room creaked open, I gulped.

'I hope he's not aware of my relationship with Snow…'

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside.

The sheer vastness of the room overwhelmed me, and for a moment, my legs hesitated as if they sensed the weight of what lay ahead.

A thousand thoughts swirled in my mind—worry, strategy, the unrelenting awareness of where I stood.

But none of it mattered.

Not when my eyes locked onto the grandeur before me.