The very next morning, Seraphina made sure to wake up far earlier than usual and made her way down to the kitchens. It was so early in fact that the sky above was still dark and the palace was almost completely silent. Seraphina relaxed into the dimness, letting the solitude wrap around her shoulders like a well-worn blanket. This was familiar. This she knew. This was how it had always been, and how it would always be.
During the night, the princess had come to a conclusion: she needed to better herself. For as long as she was in the Voided Lands, she was wholly reliant on Alios's generosity, and there was no telling when that would run out. What if he grew impatient with her continued refusals, and demanded things she didn't want to give? At least, not now...
If ever a day came when s
