The morning sun rose lazily over the treetops, casting a soft golden light on the clearing that was now almost unrecognizable. What had once been a humble garden used for quiet meals and afternoon chores had been transformed overnight into something out of a fairytale. Twinkling lights were strung from the tall pines and draped along the hedges like glowing vines. Tables covered in cream and gold linens stretched out in perfect rows beneath a canopy of flowering branches, their surfaces adorned with crystal glasses and polished silver. At the center of the clearing, an open space had been cleared—large enough for dancing, with a wooden floor newly installed and still carrying the faint scent of fresh-cut timber.
Ryleigh stood at the edge of the space, her hands clutching a tray of goblets
