Under Seraphina's gentle, radiant light, the dark, spiritual contamination afflicting the Holy Emperor was slowly, meticulously burned away.
After a tense hour, the Emperor's eyes fluttered open. The gray pallor of his face was replaced by a healthy, if tired, color. The curse was completely purified.
The room, which had swiftly filled with the Empress Consort, the Crown Prince Tristan, and several other princes and princesses, erupted in joyful tears and exclamations.
They had all witnessed Seraphina's miracle.
The Empress Consort, a woman of sharp intelligence and great presence, rushed to the Saintess. The Emperor himself, still weak but lucid, offered profound thanks.
