Seraphina
I woke up earlier than usual, partly because my mind wouldn't rest. The night before replayed inside my head.
Kael's face, the press, my uncle's face. It still didn't feel real. Everything had changed overnight.
The new palace guards were already in their new positions. The palace felt so much better than it was before. I was this close to dancing and twirling around like a little girl who had just received a bar of chocolate.
I made my way to the breakfast table.
Breakfast was quiet.
My uncle sat across from me, dressed in his usual dark robe, pretending to read the reports in front of him. He didn't even look at me when I entered.
"You're up early," he said eventually.
"So are you," I replied, sitting down. "Planning something?"
He smiled faintly, not looking up. "Always. That's how this kingdom stays standing."
I poured myself a cup of tea.
"Funny. I thought it stayed standing because of the people who serve it."
