At the mention of that day, the past rose within Sheila with startling clarity. The memory did not come gently—it returned in fragments of color and sound, of bright banners and proud smiles, of servants whispering excitedly in the corridors of the palace. She could almost feel the warmth of the ceremonial hall again, the way myst had shimmered in the air when her affinities awakened before the court.
That day had not been the moment everything changed.
But it had been the beginning of what would.
"That day might have been the happiest of your life," Percy said quietly. "It was one of mine too, if I'm being honest. Father and Mother were overjoyed. The entire court celebrated. A child of royal blood had awakened all three primary affinities of the Crescent Kingdom. It had been a long time since that happened."
His voice carried no bitterness—only recollection.
