_Alina's POV_
After the banquet, I returned to my room, feeling a sense of relief as the day's events wound down. As I finished washing up and prepared to sleep, I noticed something peculiar by my bedside.
It was a strange object, unlike anything I had seen before. Just as I began to ponder what it could be, it suddenly rang, the sound especially loud in the quiet room. Startled, I quickly regained my composure and cautiously picked it up, unsure of what to do with it. I could hear some sound coming from it, so I placed it near my ear.
"Alina," I heard a voice say. It was Alaric's voice. Startled, I dropped the object. The sound continued, and I could still hear Alaric saying, "Alina, are you there?"
Gathering my courage, I picked it up again and placed it near my ear. "Alari
