The door swung shut behind the two students with a soft click, plunging the brightly lit space back into a pristine, almost eerie silence.
The moment the latch clicked, the air in the laboratory shimmered. From behind a tall, ornate cabinet, seemingly carved from dark, ancient wood, stepped a figure of regal grace. Queen Regina emerged as if from thin air, her movements fluid and silent, her opulent gown flowing around her. Her ash-blonde hair, braided with strands of moonstone, cascaded down her back, and her eyes, the color of deep, clear ocean waters, held a knowing amusement.
"Satisfied, Scarlett?" Regina's voice was a soft murmur, yet it filled the room, caressing the very air. Her gaze swept over the precise order of the laboratory, the remnants of the brewing tea, and finally settled on Scarlett. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on the Queen's lips.
