'Ah. I thought the check-up was never-ending.'
Florian sighed as he unfastened his cloak, letting it slip from his shoulders and pool onto the floor with a soft thud. His body ached—not from exhaustion, but from something deeper, something that clung to him like an unseen weight.
As soon as he stepped further into his room, a flurry of soft blue wings fluttered toward him. The glowing butterflies circled his face, brushing against his skin as if welcoming him back.
"Hello there," he murmured with a small, tired smile, reaching out to let one land on his fingertips. A light giggle escaped his lips as their delicate wings tickled his cheek. "Did you miss me?"
"I... am sure they did, Your Highness," came a quiet voice from behind him.
