EMILIA’S POV
Damien’s house was nothing like I imagined. It was big—beautiful, even—but not in the cold, polished way of the palace. This place felt alive. The walls were painted warm shades of cream and gold, the floors gleamed under the light, and soft curtains swayed with the evening breeze. Everything smelled faintly of cedarwood and something else… something that reminded me of him.
When we stepped inside, I couldn’t help but whisper, “It’s… beautiful.”
Damien smiled faintly as he shut the door behind us. “It’s just a house, Emilia.”
“Just a house?” I repeated softly. “It’s more than that.”
He glanced at me, his lips twitching into a small smile. “Then I’m glad you like it.”
I turned in a slow circle, taking everything in. The living room opened up into a wide space with tall wi
