The sun filtered softly through the silk curtains, casting gentle gold streaks across the royal chamber. The quietness of the day was a rare gift no knocks, no cries from the children, no urgent calls from the council. Evelyn sat cross-legged on the floor, parchment scattered around her like fallen leaves.
Her quill moved quickly, heart in every stroke.
The Price of Peace.
That was the title she had finally settled on.
A part of her wanted to call it What I Lost to Love but no. That would make it all about heartbreak. And peace… peace was harder to win than love. Love is a fire; peace is the ash you keep warm with.
She dipped her quill into the ink again, her fingers slightly stained. Little Caelum gurgled beside her in his cradle, Elara’s soft singing voice floating faintly from the
