“He’s off on a hunt,” I say, smoothing the front of my gown.
Lucas’s brow pulls, faint confusion shadowing his expression.
“A hunt?” he echoes, the word slow and uncertain on his tongue.
I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips.
“It’s a long story.”
My brows draw together, unbidden, before I glance up at him again.
“How long do you plan on staying?” I ask, searching his face for something steady to hold onto.
He exhales, his expression unreadable for a moment.
“Just until the celebrations end.”
My smile fades—not long enough. Lucas tilts his head and steps closer once more, his voice lower now, gentler.
“Hey,” he chides lightly. “It’s not fitting for a bride to look so sad on the night of her engagement ball… or herhunt.”
That draws a laugh from me, short and breathless, but real all the same. And then, as if sensing he’s let me feel too much, he lifts his gloved hand and ruffles my braid like I’m still a child. I smooth it back with a glare.
“Hey! I spent ages on that!”
Sera’s voice rings through the hall, her mock indignation laced with humor. I turn to see her approaching, her blue satin dress shimmering softly in the dim light. The delicate fabric hugs her frame, accentuating her fair skin and sparkling eyes. As she nears, she twirls gracefully, the skirt flaring slightly before she plants her hands on her hips.
“Did you miss me?” she teases, her voice light and playful, though her eyes lingers on Lucas with unmistakable fondness.
Without hesitation, Lucas strides past me and cradles Sera’s face in his hands before kissing her deeply.
“Really? In front of me?” I grumble, rolling my eyes and covering them with mock disgust, though the faint smile tugging at my lips betrays me.
Their affection is sweet and unguarded, a testament to the bond they share, and I can’t help but smile. But as my hands lower, the warmth fades, replaced by a quiet ache. Watching them so openly in love feels both beautiful and unbearable—a bittersweet reminder of something I once thought I had, only to realize it was never truly mine.
A faint sound from nearby draws me out of my thoughts. My gaze snaps to the castle doors, where the shadowy figure from earlier slips deftly into the night. An inexplicable pull stirs within me, beckoning me toward them without thought or reason.
It isn’t curiosity that drives me—it’s something deeper, a strange, unspoken connection. My feet move of their own accord, carrying me forward before I’ve even made the decision. The figure disappears, and my heartbeat quickens, the urge to follow them growing stronger.
But before I can take another step, a firm hand wraps around my wrist, halting me in my tracks.
“Bored of me already?” Lucas’s teasing voice snaps me back to reality, his grin widening as Sera loops her arm casually through his.
I blink, startled for a moment, before shaking my head. The tension in my chest eases as I meet his familiar, mischievous gaze.
“You wish,” I retort.
Lucas chuckles, releasing my wrist but staying close. He’s about to say something else, but Sera notices my ruffled braid. Her head tilts, her brows knitting together as though she’s toying with an unsolvable riddle.
She takes a step forward, narrowing her eyes at me.
“Everything has to be perfect this evening.”
For as gentle as she can be, her voice carries the kind of determination that turns simple observations into marching orders.
Lucas snorts.
“Perfect?” he echoes, the word rolling off his tongue with teasing delight. “That’s a serious word for you, Sera.”
