Morning arrived with a hush of soft golden light spilling through the lattice windows of Kaelith's chamber.
Pale rays filtered through the silk curtains, casting long dappled shadows across the floor where the enchanted rug softly hummed its morning melody—gentle bells and crystalline chimes designed to wake noble children without stress or noise.
Kaelith was already awake.
Not because of the rug's music, or the sun, or the palace enchantments that warmed the floors in the early hours.
No Kaelith had woken on her own.
Because today was her first day at the Celestian Academy.
She stretched beneath the sheets, a slow, deliberate movement, smiling into her pillow like she was savoring a secret.
The cool silk slid along her skin as she sat up, hair spilling around her like a silver-and-red halo. The air was still cool, not yet stirred by the bustle of servants or the chimes of hallway clocks.
She had time.
And she was going to enjoy every second of it.
Kaelith slid out of bed and padded barefoot across the floor, her nightgown brushing her ankles.
Her room felt especially alive today her collection of floating star-globes shimmered with anticipation, the wardrobe practically glowed with impatience, and even the enchanted brushes on her vanity seemed to twitch excitedly in their holders.
She tied her hair up first, securing the long white-and-scarlet strands in a high tail with golden rings, leaving a few elegant wisps to frame her face.
Then she moved to the vanity, lighting the enchanted mirror with a touch. Her reflection blinked back calm, poised, regal.
She began with skin balm lightly scented with winter rose then a shimmer-powder along her cheeks, just enough to catch the sun.
Her eyeliner curved into a delicate wing, silver-tinted to match her crest pendant. Lips: soft berry gloss. Subtle. Tasteful. Deadly.
Then came the uniform.
She removed it from its protective enchantment with great care.
Navy and silver, pressed to perfection, tailored to her exact measurements. The jacket hugged her waist without restricting motion, the silver embroidery catching the light with every move.
She fastened the belt, straightened the collar, and smoothed the fabric like she was preparing for a duel.
And in a way, she was.
Because today, she'd be meeting her classmates. Her future political rivals. Potential enemies. Potential allies.
And of course future gossip sources.
Every detail mattered.
Even her boots had been shined.
Kaelith checked herself once more in the mirror and allowed a satisfied little smile.
Perfect.
She opened the door to her suite, expecting—
Nothing.
No tall figure leaning against the wall. No dead-eyed glare.
No unnecessary commentary about how her coat was "a liability in melee combat" or how "that brooch looks like bait for a lightning curse."
"Imeena?" she called softly.
Silence.
Kaelith tilted her head, eyes narrowing.
No trace of that cold shadow that had been haunting her every step for the past week. No flicker of golden glyphs. No judgmental sigh from some dark corner.
How odd.
And just a bit disappointing.
Kaelith shrugged and made her way down the corridor.
The dining hall was louder than expected.
She was barely through the doors when Lily shouted across the room, "You look like the god of dramatic exits dressed you!"
Kaelith beamed. "I knew this jacket was a good idea."
Queen Serisa sat at the head of the long sunwood table, dressed in soft layered whites and celestial greys, her crown hovering an inch above her forehead like it had better things to do.
She was sipping tea with the slow intensity of someone who had already fought three bureaucrats in her dreams.
Breakfast at the Celestian Palace was always a little chaotic.
The table was half-filled with fruit spells, glimmering pastries, and teacups that refilled when you raised an eyebrow.
Toast levitated in spirals before finding your plate. A battle of jelly jars had broken out at the far end, two of them slamming into each other repeatedly while a hovering spoon tried to mediate.
Kaelith sat beside Lily and poured herself a cup of shimmering berry infusion.
"You didn't bring your terrifying shadow," Lily said, stabbing a croissant.
"She wasn't outside my door this morning."
Lily blinked. "Are you sure she's not, like… waiting in the ceiling?"
Kaelith glanced upward.
"Possible."
Serisa sighed into her teacup. "Honestly, at this point I'd be surprised if she wasn't."
"She's never here for breakfast," Kaelith said, sipping delicately.
"Does she even eat?" Lily asked. "Or does she just glare at food until it apologizes for being weak?"
Kaelith laughed. "She's probably somewhere sharpening her chains and threatening the air."
"She's definitely sharpening something," Serisa muttered. "And ignoring at least four outstanding assignments."
"She hates wine," Kaelith added helpfully.
"Everyone hates Celestian wine," Lily said. "That's why we serve it to guests. It's a test of character."
"I like it," Serisa said, mildly offended.
"You like air that smells like crushed judgment," Lily retorted.
Serisa arched a brow. "That's called refinement."
"It's called being emotionally allergic to flavor."
Kaelith sipped her tea, watching mother and daughter squabble over a marmalade jar that had suddenly grown teeth.
This place. These mornings. The chaos, the elegance, the laughter—it was exactly what Kaelith loved.
Except one thing was missing.
She glanced toward the tall glass windows, sunlight flooding through them in warm beams. No hint of shadow. No glint of gold. No looming bodyguard.
Strange.
Imeena didn't eat breakfast with them. That wasn't new. But she was always nearby. Kaelith had started to feel her presence the same way she might feel gravity or magic pressure an extra layer of weight just beyond vision.
And this morning… nothing.
Kaelith didn't know whether to be relieved or annoyed.
Maybe both.