Nova’s days at the palace began to take on a rhythm—structured, demanding, and at times overwhelming. The golden halls of Moonhaven, with their centuries-old tapestries and polished marble floors, now echoed with her footsteps. Every morning began with etiquette lessons, history briefings, and meetings with advisors who, while respectful, were clearly watching her closely. The pressure to be perfect clung to her like a second skin.
Still, Nova handled it with quiet strength. She asked questions, listened carefully, and, in private moments, confided in Max.
Max was her anchor.
Their bond only seemed to deepen with time. The privacy of their royal suite gave them moments of vulnerability and heat, a counterbalance to the weight of duty. Late into the evenings, when the palace fell into hu
