The halls echoed with thunder as Adrian approached Evelyn’s chambers, his heart weighed down. Rain lashed against the windows, and shadows flickered from dancing candlelight in the corridor. He stopped in front of the door, took a breath, and knocked once before entering.Evelyn stood by the tall arched window, arms crossed tightly, watching the rain streak down the glass. She didn’t turn.“You should rest " she said coldly.“I will. After we talk"“We already did"“No, you walked away before I could fix what I broke" He stepped closer. “Evelyn, please…”Her silence stung.Adrian’s voice wavered. “You always take everything so serious. One word, one slip, and suddenly I’m the villain again"She spun around. “Because every slip tells a story, Adrian! And I’m tired of pretending it doesn’t!”He blinked. “Pretending?”“I see how you look when people talk about her!” she cried. “I see how you flinch at her name but never fully let it go. I know what it’s like to be second in someone’s hea

The celebration began before the sun even rose.The castle’s halls shimmered with golden drapes and silver ribbons. Lanterns floated through the air, gently bobbing like glowing fireflies. Musicians tuned their harps and flutes on every level of the palace. The scent of honeybread and roast fruit pies drifted through the corridors.Today was not just any day.It was Caelum’s Naming Ceremony.And for the first time in generations, the kingdom rejoiced not out of duty but from joy.“He shall be known as Caelum Adrian Wrenhart"Adrian’s voice rang strong and proud as he lifted his son before the gathered crowd. They stood in the central garden, beneath a flowering archway woven from moon-lilies and sunblooms.The people erupted in cheers.Doves flew into the morning sky as horns blew from the tower tops. Children danced in circles. Soldiers sheathed their swords and clapped one another on the back. Even the old merchant lords shed tears as the bells rang.Elara stood at Evelyn’s side, cl

The palace gates creaked shut as the guards bowed and stepped aside, letting the royal carriage roll in under the sleepy velvet night. Lanterns glowed soft orange as Evelyn leaned back on Adrian’s shoulder, her gold-streaked hair still holding the shimmer of the masquerade. Elara had fallen asleep on the ride back, curled like a kitten on a velvet cushion, and Caelum slept soundly in the arms of his nurse.“Finally " Evelyn murmured, her voice almost lost in the rumble of the wheels. “My feet might never forgive me"Adrian chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “You were the most beautiful one there, and yet you fell"Evelyn gave him a side-eye. “I slipped because someone spun me like a top"“You loved it"“I did " she admitted with a lazy smile. “Until Leona’s ugly laughter ruined the moment"Adrian’s face darkened slightly. “I’ll talk to her"“No need " Evelyn waved it off. “Let her laugh. It shows who she is"They stepped out of the carriage. The air was cool, fragrant

The palace air was heavy with tension, not because of an argument or looming war, but something quieter. Something that stirred behind Evelyn’s smile and Adrian’s tight shoulders. The court had calmed after the scandal, but not completely. There was still a strange sense of eyes watching some unseen force that seemed to study every move Evelyn made. She sat in their private study, running her fingers across the leather spine of a book her own unfinished manuscript. A tale of a queen who rose from ashes and walked through storms barefoot just to protect her family. Evelyn stared at the page she left half-written last night and bit her bottom lip. The pen was still beside it, and ink had dried at the tip. Adrian walked in with a scroll in hand, removing his golden crown the moment the door shut behind him. “You’re still writing?” he asked, approaching. Evelyn let out a soft sigh. “Trying to. But my thoughts feel scattered. Like a million glass shards waiting to cut me if I pick the

The sun filtered softly through the silk curtains, casting gentle gold streaks across the royal chamber. The quietness of the day was a rare gift no knocks, no cries from the children, no urgent calls from the council. Evelyn sat cross-legged on the floor, parchment scattered around her like fallen leaves.Her quill moved quickly, heart in every stroke.The Price of Peace.That was the title she had finally settled on.A part of her wanted to call it What I Lost to Love but no. That would make it all about heartbreak. And peace… peace was harder to win than love. Love is a fire; peace is the ash you keep warm with.She dipped her quill into the ink again, her fingers slightly stained. Little Caelum gurgled beside her in his cradle, Elara’s soft singing voice floating faintly from the next room. Every now and then, Evelyn looked at her son and smiled. His eyes reminded her of Adrian’s on quiet nights. Or maybe hers when she was younger before everything changed.The last line finally f