The day after the new Empress's coming-of-age ceremony, inside the imperial sleeping chambers. Feeling a gentle breeze brush against her cheek, as if a hand were tenderly caressing her, Amalia fluttered her eyelashes slightly and slowly awoke from her slumber.
The soft, spacious bed now held only her. Warm morning light streamed through the windows into the bedroom, fully illuminating the room. An ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling, unfamiliar to her. Even the air before her carried tiny dust particles, turning the paths of light into visible beams.
'Where did Sister go…'
Her two slender legs, still tucked beneath the covers, instinctively rubbed against each other. Amalia didn't feel the uniquely warm friction of silk fabric. Instead, she felt the natural cool smoothness of bare skin.
