The palace was silent in the early morning, the kind of sacred hush that existed only before dawn.
Elysia woke first.
She always did now, ever since Kaelith had been born. Her body had adjusted to a new rhythm, alert to the tiniest sounds—one shift of breath, one hiccup from the cradle, and she was up.
But today, it wasn't Kaelith's soft whimpers that stirred her.
It was excitement.
She blinked in the soft lavender light filtering through the high windows, a content smile spreading across her face. Today was the day.
After weeks of fireproofing decorations, finalizing seating charts under threat of demon drama, and making sure her sister-in-law didn't accidentally seduce another political heir, the Banquet of Announcement had finally arrived.
Kaelith's day.
Elysia turned her head and looked beside her.
