The three of them stayed up the rest of the night—brewing more tea, talking, and enjoying each other's company as the fire's soft crackle filled the modest home. For a while, it felt like the world beyond those walls didn't exist.
But when the sun finally rose, painting the horizon in gold, a sharp knock broke through their peace.
Edward groaned quietly and stood, stretching his tired limbs before moving toward the door.
He swung it open to see a royal guard standing outside, silver-plated armour gleaming faintly in the morning light.
"Greetings," the soldier said with a curt nod. "Prince Arthur has sent me to fetch a man called Edward."
"That would be me," Edward replied, his voice still laced with drowsiness. He turned to look back—Aeris and Seraphine were peeking around the corner of the hallway like guilty children caught eavesdropping.
