Sir William's breath stalled the moment Penny emerged from between the towering forms of the Naga guards.
She walked with the Nagas at her sides, their massive serpent bodies gliding over the earth like living rivers of scale and muscle—but she outshone all of them.
Her blonde hair, loose and soft, caught the low sunlight pouring across the valley, glowing like molten gold. Her fair skin was almost luminous, untouched by fear or fatigue despite the tense atmosphere.
And her gown…
Even at a distance, Sir William could tell it was no ordinary noble dress. The fabric shimmered faintly with runic threads, the kind of glow only seen in garments forged from spiritual silk. An epic treasure, hidden in plain sight as simple attire.
That was material a royal guard should use for defence. Even the artisans needed tens of years to produce just one as the runes needed to be crafted on it by hand.
And yet it was a simple gown.
