Lorin finally came back to his senses, though he could not understand what he was feeling.
It was strange.
New, yet peaceful.
Slowly, he bent down and picked up the fallen hammer before sitting on a nearby wooden chair. The forge continued burning around him, sparks rising into the air while his thoughts remained trapped elsewhere entirely.
He stayed there until noon, replaying the feeling over and over in his mind. No matter how much he thought about it, he could not explain it.
Eventually, he arrived at only one conclusion.
"It has to be the amulet," he murmured quietly.
"What are you talking about?"
Torven's rough voice cut through the workshop.
"And why are you not halfway done with your work?"
Lorin looked up slowly.
"While working, I suddenly fell sick, Master," he lied. "I do not have the strength today."
Torven frowned.
"You left me here alone when you abandoned this place. Never once caring whether I had strength."
His eyes narrowed.
"And now I am expected to feel sympathy toward you?"
"I am sorry, Master," Lorin answered quietly. "But if I lift that hammer again, I may truly collapse."
The old blacksmith's expression softened for only a moment.
"You do not need to utter such words."
He sighed heavily before waving a hand.
"Go home and rest."
After a brief pause, he added,
"And take care of yourself."
Lorin nodded.
"Thank you, Master."
Torven waved him away before returning to the forge.
---
Back in Altheris, Seraphina finally rose to her feet and Kael quickly stood beside her.
"Princess... are you alright?" he asked carefully.
Seraphina wiped away the remaining tears.
"I am fine, Kael. We should return to the palace."
She turned toward her mother's resting place one last time.
The peaceful expression on Queen Ismira's face remained untouched by death, surrounded by blooming flowers.
Seraphina's eyes softened.
"Thank you, Mother," she whispered. "Thank you for giving me a taste of peace."
Her fingers brushed lightly against the Crimson Amulet beneath her gown.
"Rest well."
Together, she and Kael began walking back toward the palace.
The silence between them was not uncomfortable.
Only heavy.
As they entered the main corridor, a royal guard approached and bowed.
"Princess, the King wishes to speak with you."
Seraphina exchanged a brief glance with Kael before nodding.
"Take me to him."
The guard led them toward the grand hall where King Alaric sat waiting upon his throne.
The moment Seraphina entered, her father's expression brightened.
"Seraphina," he called warmly. "Come. I have good news."
She approached carefully.
"Father... what could possibly be good news right now?"
"The betrothal," he answered with a smile. "The prince has sent word. He arrives tomorrow."
Seraphina's expression immediately changed.
"Tomorrow?"
"The alliance must happen quickly," Alaric explained. "The witch remains a threat. Danger surrounds this kingdom, and House Veylor offers us strength."
Seraphina shook her head.
"No. This is exactly what the witch wants."
The peace she had felt in the garden slowly faded.
"This alliance is an opportunity for her to take advantage of our distraction. The danger is already inside this palace, and instead of stopping it, you are allowing it to thrive."
The King's expression hardened.
"I did not summon you here to change my mind."
His voice echoed sharply through the hall.
"Go and rest. You will need your strength tomorrow."
The discussion was over.
Seraphina lowered her gaze before turning away.
Kael followed silently behind her.
"You do not need to follow me everywhere," she suddenly said. "You are not my guard."
Kael hesitated.
"I know. I only thought you might need someone beside you."
"No," she interrupted softly. "Right now, I just want to be alone."
He nodded.
"Then allow me to escort you to your chamber."
After a moment, Seraphina agreed.
The two walked in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.
When they reached her chamber, Seraphina pushed open the doors and stepped inside.
Only then did Kael quietly leave.
She crossed the room and laid down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Thoughts of Lorin.
The witch.
The alliance.
The prince.
Everything swirled endlessly inside her mind until exhaustion finally pulled her into sleep.
---
Morning arrived quietly.
Golden sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting soft patterns across the walls of Seraphina's chamber.
For a moment, she simply laid there staring upward, almost forgetting everything.
Then reality returned all at once.
The prince arrives today.
A soft knock came from the door before servants entered carrying folded gowns, silver jewelry, and fresh flowers gathered from the royal gardens.
The palace buzzed with preparation.
Servants hurried endlessly through the halls while nobles gathered in anticipation of House Veylor's arrival.
Even the atmosphere felt tense.
After dressing, Seraphina stood before the mirror silently while one servant adjusted the final details of her gown.
The Crimson Amulet rested hidden beneath the fabric, though she could still feel its faint pulse against her skin.
"You look beautiful, Princess," one of the servants whispered softly.
Seraphina forced the faintest smile.
"I feel nothing close to beautiful."
Not long after, she made her way downstairs toward the grand hall.
The palace had never felt so alive and beautiful.
Every corridor gleamed.
Every banner hung perfectly.
Yet beneath all the beauty lingered tension sharp enough to cut through the air itself.
Servants whispered hurriedly as they passed.
"House Veylor has arrived."
Seraphina stood near the marble steps leading toward the throne hall, her hands clasped tightly before her.
Her heart was restless with unease.
The amulet beneath her gown pulsed faintly mimicking her emotions.
Kael stepped beside her quietly.
"the prince is here," he murmured.
Then—
The great doors opened slowly, their heavy sound echoing through the grand hall.
---
A cold gust of wind swept inside as Prince Darius Veylor, Lord Veylor and Eryn stepped into the palace of Altheris.
Four guards clad in black and silver armor following closely behind them. The flickering torchlight danced against the dark fabric of the prince cloak, catching the silver details woven into it.
He walked with calm confidence.
Not the kind born from pride alone, but the kind carried by someone who had never doubted his place in the world.
The hall gradually fell silent as he approached.
Nobles watched carefully from both sides of the chamber while servants lowered their gazes respectfully. Even the council members seemed quieter beneath the prince's presence.
Darius did not look impressed by the palace.
His eyes moved across the marble pillars, the perfectly polished glass windows, the guards standing near the throne, studying everything with quiet calculation as though he were memorizing the kingdom piece by piece.
Then his gaze found Seraphina.
For the briefest moment, something shifted in his expression.
The Crimson Amulet beneath Seraphina's gown pulsed faintly against her chest, warm and restless.
Her breath caught slightly.
Kael noticed immediately from beside her, though he remained silent.
Darius's eyes lingered on her longer than necessary before a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. It was not warm enough to be charming, yet not cruel enough to be insulting.
It unsettled her instantly.
Lord Veylor moved through the hall with the quiet authority of a ruler who had spent decades commanding both respect and fear. His presence alone seemed to weigh upon the room, as he moved past the seasoned councilors they started sitting a little straighter.
For a brief moment, Seraphina understood where Darius had inherited his confidence.
As he walked toward King Alaric, Lord Veylor's sharp eyes swept across the palace. He studied the banners hanging from the walls, and the nobles gathered within the hall, silently judging the strength of the kingdom his house was about to ally with.
House Veylor had not earned its reputation through ordinary warfare alone. While its armies were feared across neighboring lands, the house was equally known for its spiritual power. Their priests, scholars, and sacred warriors had helped them survive battles that could not be won by swords alone. It was one of the many reasons the council suggested their alliance before any other.
Behind them, Eryn walked quietly, observing everything with keen interest. Unlike Darius, who seemed focused on every detail of the palace and the princess, Eryn studied the people.
His gaze drifted across the council, the guards, and the servants before settling on Kael.
Something about him stood out immediately.
Kael remained silent and composed among the crowd, yet somehow he was the first person Eryn had noticed upon entering the hall.
Interesting, he thought.
---
Finally, the three men stopped before the throne.
"Your Majesty," Darius said smoothly. His voice carried clearly throughout the hall. "House Veylor answers the royal summons."
King Alaric rose from his throne with practiced dignity.
"You honor Altheris with your presence, Prince Darius, Lord Veylor, and Eryn."
Darius inclined his head politely.
"Honor is a fragile thing, Your Majesty," he replied. "I only hope this alliance gives it meaning."
Soft whispers spread through the throne room.
King Alaric gestured toward Seraphina.
"Allow me to formally introduce my daughter, Princess Seraphina of Altheris."
Darius turned toward her fully.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The Crimson Amulet pulsed beneath Seraphina's gown.
Warm.
Restless.
Darius's eyes flickered briefly to the place where it rested before returning to her face.
"The princess's reputation reaches even the mountains of Veylor," he said.
Seraphina met his gaze without hesitation.
"I could say the same about yours, my lord," she replied. "Though reputations rarely resemble the truth."
A faint smile touched Darius's lips.
"Then perhaps we shall have the opportunity to discover the truth ourselves."
The hall fell strangely quiet.
The exchange had been polite, yet there was an unmistakable challenge hidden beneath their words.
Kael noticed it immediately.
So did Eryn.
And neither of them liked it.
King Alaric quickly broke the silence.
"You must be weary from your journey. Please, sit. There will be time enough to discuss alliances and politics."
Lord Veylor nodded approvingly.
"A wise suggestion, Your Majesty. Important matters are best discussed with clear minds."
The guests took their seats while servants hurried forward with refreshments.
As conversation slowly resumed throughout the hall, Seraphina could not shake the feeling that something was wrong.
The amulet continued to pulse softly beneath her gown, but this time, something else triggered it's reaction.