The palace doors opened.
Not loudly. Not dramatically.
Just enough.
Miralen stepped inside, Verbena followed her closely behind.
The air shifted the moment they crossed the threshold— heavier, controlled… as if even breathing here required permission.
The grand hall stretched wide before them, vast and precise in its design.
Towering pillars stood along both sides, carved with intricate detail. Sunlight filtered through tall, tinted glass windows, spilling onto the polished stone floor in fractured colors— painting the hall in shifting patterns of gold, blue, and crimson.
Chandeliers hung above, some grand, some modest, all perfectly still.
Wow… Miralen thought quietly, her gaze sweeping across the space. This place is really impressive, just like in fantasy stories.
The guards stationed along the pillars lifted their eyes.
Recognition came instantly.
It wasn't obvious— but it was there.
Some straightened.
Some tightened their grip on their swords.
Some lowered their gaze.
Miralen noticed everything.
She always did.
Her steps didn't falter, but something in her chest shifted— unease, quiet and sharp.
Okay… noted. Either Delayna is important… or she owe them money.
She looked down briefly, then continued forward.
They stopped before the raised platform at the far end of the hall.
And there— sat the king.
King Cassion
He was still for a moment, illuminated by the filtered sunlight.
Then he stood.
His presence filled the hall without effort.
He wore a fitted high– collar black coat, lined with polished silver buttons. Embroidery curled along his sleeves like quiet flames, and fine chains draped from his shoulder across his chest. His cape fell behind him— black on the outside, white within.
A silver crown set with a deep ruby rested upon his tousled brown hair.
His golden eyes were sharp.
Observant.
Unforgiving.
Miralen and Verbena bowed.
"Your Majesty," Verbena said, her voice calm and respectful.
"Rise," Cassion replied.
They straightened.
His gaze settled on Miralen.
"So," he said slowly, tilting his head slightly, "after all this time… you return to the palace, Delayna."
Miralen met his gaze without hesitation.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I've returned."
His eyes moved over her— measured, evaluating.
"You look better than before."
"I recovered well," she replied evenly.
A brief nod.
Approval.
"Your absence was… inconvenient," he continued. "The soldiers will be relieved to see you again."
Miralen allowed the faintest curve of a smile.
"I hope they managed without me."
"They managed," he said, his tone flattening slightly, "but not efficiently."
Ah. So Delayna was important, Miralen thought. Good to know she was not just a decorative furniture.
Verbena shifted slightly beside her, sensing the tension, but remained silent.
"You will resume your position," Cassion said.
It wasn't a suggestion.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Miralen felt the weight of it— but her expression didn't change.
Position? Was Delayna one of the strongest soldiers?
Great. I walked into a mystery… and a job.
The silence that followed was sharp— until it broke.
"Delayna—!"
The voice cut through the hall like sunlight.
"Princess Aestrin, please don't run—!" another voice followed, slightly breathless but controlled.
A girl rushed into the hall.
Alive.
Bright.
Out of place— in the best way.
Princess Aestrin
Her ginger hair was braided beautifully, decorated with delicate flowers and pins. Golden eyes shimmered with warmth and mischief. Her peach— colored gown flowed around her in soft layers, elegant yet full of movement.
Her footsteps echoed lightly across the hall as she ran straight toward Miralen.
Before Miralen could react— Aestrin wrapped her in a tight hug.
Miralen stiffened for half a second— then slowly returned it.
"I thought you vanished forever!" Aestrin said, pulling back just enough to look at her. "Where did you go? Under a rock? Into the forest? Do you even know how much I missed you?"
Miralen raised a brow.
"…Possibly a rock," she replied dryly. Then, softer— "I missed you too."
Aestrin narrowed her eyes dramatically. "That sounded suspiciously calm for someone who missed me."
"I'm conserving energy," Miralen said. "Apparently I'm needed for military efficiency again."
Aestrin blinked— then burst into a small laugh.
"That sounds like something Father would say."
"Unfortunately," Miralen muttered.
Verbena covered her mouth slightly, hiding a smile.
"I have so much to tell you," Aestrin said, practically bouncing in place.
"I assumed it," Miralen replied. "You look like a walking conversation."
"That's rude."
"That's accurate."
Aestrin grinned.
Then she turned toward Cassion.
"Sorry, Father," she said brightly, completely unbothered, "I'm borrowing your strongest soldier."
A pause.
Then, with a wink—
"Temporarily."
Before anyone could respond— she grabbed Miralen's hand and started dragging her away.
Miralen stumbled half a step before regaining balance.
"Wait— at least warn me before dragging me," she said.
"No," Aestrin replied happily. "get used to it now."
Miralen glanced back once— at the throne. At Verbena. At Cassion. At the hall that watched everything.
Then she let herself be pulled away.
"…This place just keeps getting better," she muttered under her breath.
(The end of chapter 15)