Watching the joy below through an enchanted lens that reflected nothing but ice.
A cloaked figure adjusted the shimmering pane of glass, eyes narrowing behind a dark veil. The laughter echoed faintly through the chamber walls, sweet and warm and alive.
"She’s begun awakening," the figure whispered.
Behind them, smoke curled into the shape of a second form—less person than presence. A voice echoed through the haze, warped and inhuman:
"Then we move before the Seven awaken with her."
The first figure did not flinch.
They leaned forward again, gaze locked on the little girl in silver—now being lifted for the third time by her doting brothers, crown slightly askew, laughter carrying like wind-chimes.
"Let the girl dance," the figure murmured. "She won’t be smiling when we burn it all down."
Far below, the warmth of music and laughter echoed off the ballroom walls, untouched by the silent curse now drifting like ash in the wind.
Evelisse only knew that she’d survived the ball without tripping, twirled on the shoulders of a scary war-Duke, and might’ve personally brokered peace between her two old friends.
A win, by all accounts.
The next morning arrived in golden waves.
Sunlight spilled through Evelisse’s windows like warm honey, pooling over soft silks and sparkling off glass perfume bottles shaped like stars. Birds chirped far too happily for anyone who’d stayed up well past their bedtime.
"Gahh!" Evelisse yelped as something warm and wet smacked against her cheek.
The magical pup was bouncing on her chest, wagging his oversized fluffy tail, licking her face like she was a royal pancake. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
"St-stop it! I am a lady of dignity!" she protested, squirming beneath the covers as his tongue found her nose.
Snugglewuff barked happily in response, licking harder.
"Help! Marta, betrayal in the form of large cotton balls!"
"I believe that is the softest uprising I’ve seen, Your Highness," came a voice from the doorway.
Marta, her loyal handmaid, entered carrying a breakfast tray balanced with frightening precision. Her eyes were warm, but her lips fought to remain neutral.
Evelisse groaned, flopping back as her curls—an explosion of glitter, tangles, and dreams—splayed over the pillow like a wild halo.
"Your battle crown is majestic this morning, Your Higness." Marta said, smoothing a hand over Evelisse’s comforter.
"Don’t tame it," Evelisse whispered dramatically. "It’s... proof I survived the Ballroom Wars."
Marta’s mouth twitched upward. "Shall I declare a holiday in your name?"
"Yes. Battle Crown Day. All must wear uncombed hair and eat dessert before breakfast."
"You already do that."
"A visionary princess leads by example!"
Snugglewuff yipped in approval and then settled beside her with a sleepy thump.
Fluffy, as if summoned by mischief, fluttered out from beneath her pillow in a twinkle of sparkles. "He woke you up instead of me? This is betrayal."
’Technically,’ she conversed, ’it’s sibling rivalry. You’ve got competition, Fluffbutt.’
"I was hatched from a divine spark, princess. I do not compete with squeaky mop-dogs."
Snugglewuff yipped. Fluffy yipped back.
Evelisse decided it was best not to get in the middle of their interspecies bickering.
Instead, she hopped out of bed, or tried to. She tripped on the hem of her nightgown and face-planted into her pillow chair. Gracefully.
"Very royal," Fluffy deadpanned.
"I meant to do that."
’Fluff, I earned this dramatics. We fixed two grown men, survived dancing, and didn’t fall even once. If that’s not award-worthy, I don’t know what is.’
[♡ Affection Points Increased: +20 (from Marta’s fondness)]
[Total points accumulated: 3480♡]
Marta laughed then, for real. "You are the sunshine this castle never knew it needed."
Evelisse’s eyes widened as she clasped her hands. "That means you’re giving me extra jam, right?"
"You may have one. Tiny. Spoonful."
"I shall ration it like wartime gold," Evelisse whispered.
Breakfast was served—a feast of soft scones, warm bread, and honey-sweetened tea. Evelisse dug in with the grace of a starved squirrel until Marta wiped her cheek with a napkin and told her to slow down.
Snugglewuff pawed at her robe, which today was the sparkliest one she owned—silver with tiny embroidered suns. Evelisse had picked it out herself.
"Why?" Marta asked as she helped her into it.
"Because it blinds people into joy. And also because if a spy tries to hex me, they’ll go blind before the spell hits."
"An impenetrable defense." Marta joked.
As Evelisse posed dramatically in the full-length mirror, hands on hips and curls floating in every direction, a soft knock echoed immediately after the guard announced a name out loud.
"Come in!" she called, trying to sound princessy but still had tea crumbs on her chin.
Queen Seraphina swept in, luminous in lavender. Her crown sat tilted—either from regal fashion or young prince sabotage (courtesy of Leo yesterday). Her eyes softened the moment she saw Evelisse.
"My Queen." Marta bowed, her face down and her hand clasped behind her in respect.
"My sunshine bloom," she said, walking over and brushing hair from her daughter’s face. "You look... radiant."
"I didn’t brush my hair and told Marta to let it be that way." Evelisse said proudly.
"Is that so?" Seraphina raised a brow and smiled at Marta.
Seraphina kissed her forehead. "Then may you never brush your hair again."
[♡ Affection Points Increased: +30 (from Queen Seraphina)]
[Total points accumulated: 3510♡]
Aldric entered moments later, unusually quiet.
His robe was missing. He wore a loose tunic, sleeves rolled, and eyes... gentle.
"Marta, pass me that braid ribbon," he said.
Evelisse blinked. "Wait, what?"
"I used to braid Seraphina’s hair during our rendezvous in Azure Bay. She said it calmed her and I looked so handsome from that angle."
"Aldric!" Seraphina nudged her husband’s shoulder.
Aldric chuckled, then continued. "May I try?"
Evelisse nodded slowly and scooted forward.
Aldric’s hands were larger, a bit clumsier than Marta’s, but careful. He separated a small lock of hair near her temple and began to weave.
"You’re good at this," she whispered.
"Don’t tell the council. They’ll make it part of my royal duties."
"You’d win hearts and hairstyling contests."
When he finished, he tied it with a silvery-blue ribbon.
[♡ Affection Points Increased: +50 (from King Aldric)]
[Total points accumulated: 3560♡]