The next morning dawned gray, heavy clouds pressing low over the turrets. Evelisse was escorted to breakfast by two guards, the female knight still shadowing her steps inside the chamber. The air smelled of roasted chestnuts and sweet rolls, but Evelisse had no appetite.
Marcus was absent.
Her fork clattered onto the plate. "Where is Brother Marcus?" she asked quietly.
Lucien's gaze flicked to her from across the table. "He is resting."
But his tone was too curt, too sharp. Evelisse's hands balled in her lap. 'They are hiding something from me.'
Seraphina's calm mask never broke. "Eat, Evelisse. You need strength."
Evelisse forced herself to take a bite, though it turned to ash on her tongue. Beneath the table, she whispered in her thoughts.
'Fluffy… is Marcus truly safe?'
The faint hum answered in her mind. "For now. But danger lingers still. Watch closely, little princess. The betrayal grows nearer."
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
That night, Evelisse dreamed again.
