"It's already evening huh." I muttered looking out the window.
The carriage rolled through the gates of the Valemont estate just as the sun dipped low, painting the sky in warm fire. I stepped down with the new necklace tucked carefully in my hand, still warm, still pulsing with a soft emerald glow I didn't understand.
[You will soon host.]
I barely took three steps before—
"Seraphina Helene Valemont!"
Oh. That tone.
My mum swept toward me across the courtyard like an oncoming storm in silk, gold embroidery shimmering with every furious step. Her expression said every version of: Where were you, young lady? I have aged ten years today.
"Where have you been all day?" she demanded, grabbing my arms and looking me over as if she expected a limb to be missing. "You left before noon. It is evening now! We expected you hours ago!"
[You're in trouble, host.]
Nero, please. I already know, the middle name gave it out.
