The room was dimly lit by the glow of the fire in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. The air was heavy with the faint scent of burning wood and a trace of Thalia's perfume, a mix of jasmine and something darker, more mysterious. Outside, the wind whistled through the castle's towers, a lonely sound that seemed to emphasize the tension within.
Thalia stood with her back to the fire, her golden hair shimmering in the firelight. Her blue eyes, usually sparkling with mischief or defiance, now burned with a cold fury. Across from her, Crown Prince Callum shifted uncomfortably, caught off guard by the sudden change in atmosphere.
"You may leave now," Thalia's voice was firm and unyielding as she pointed toward the door, her eyes narrowing.
Callum blinked, his eyebr
