As the meal gone down, the sun had fully set. Lanterns throughout the capital began to glow, casting the city in warm, golden light.
Alaric paid for the meal—Of course now Elina had to make sure her supposed brother takes care of them—and they stepped back out into the street.
"We should head to the Academy," Elina said, though she sounded reluctant to leave the city's energy behind.
"Agreed," Alaric said. "Don't want to miss curfew on the first night."
They made their way back to where the carriages waited.
As they prepared to depart, Iris caught Alaric's eye and smiled. "Thank you, young master. For dinner."
"Anytime," he replied.
Elina rolled her eyes but didn't comment.
They climbed into their respective carriages, and the journey to the Phoenix Academy began.
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