Violet's POV
"Hey, how's your exam?" Princess Thalia asked gently, nudging my shoulder as she sat beside me on the garden bench. Her voice was light, but her eyes searched mine with quiet concern.
I forced a smile. "It was fine."
She tilted her head, not entirely convinced. "Hey, don't be so sad. I'm sure you'll be happy soon. He's coming."
I nodded weakly, holding onto her words like a lifeline. I wanted to believe her, desperately. The idea of him walking through the gates, calling my name, pulling me into his arms—it was the only thing that kept my hope alive.
But days turned into weeks, and weeks blurred into months. Seasons changed, but he never came. There were no messages, no visits, not even a whisper of him reaching out. It was like he had disappeared from my world completely, and I was left clinging to silence.
