The royal carriage rolled to a stop beneath the high archway of Valon Castle. Guards stood in perfect formation, spears crossed, as the doors opened and Noel stepped out first. Charlotte followed close behind, her cloak brushing against the white marble steps.
Inside, the corridors stretched ahead, lined with tall stained-glass windows that filtered the morning light into soft colors.
Seraphina waited near the base of the grand staircase, composed as always, her pale-pink hair shining faintly in the glow. She greeted them with a calm smile. "Welcome back to Valon."
Noel nodded, offering a polite half-bow. "Feels like we were here a lifetime ago."
Before Seraphina could reply, another voice came from the upper landing.
"Then it seems the kingdom survived that lifetime without you."
