The evening sky had already turned to gold, streaked with the sun bled behind the mountains.
The first stars blinked awake above the Drakonis Realm, their light pale compared to the hundreds of fire lanterns now being lit across the castle grounds. The night of the First Flame Festival had come.
Lumina sat silently near the edge of her bed, her hands folded in her lap, listening to the faint sound of drums echoing from the distant courtyard.
The air smelled of pine resin and the faint burn of incense carried in from the halls.
The door creaked open softly, and Aria stepped inside, her arms full.
Behind her came two attendants carrying wooden trays laden with embroidered silk, and ornaments.
"I brought everything, my lady," Aria said, setting the bundles carefully on the low table.
