Next day dawned with a soft glow, and Alina stirred earlier than usual, her heart oddly light as she dressed for Lucien's birthday. She slipped into the prettiest dress she owned—a gentle red, not too bright but rich enough to carry warmth and charm. When she let her hair fall open across her shoulders, it framed her glowing skin like silk curtains around porcelain. Ever since she had begun using the skincare Lady Maris had gifted her, her reflection had been slowly changing. Her cheeks looked brighter, her skin softer, and in the morning light she almost startled herself—she didn't look like the tired, plain Alina she once remembered, but someone softer, more radiant.
Carrying her bag, she stepped into the staffroom, her voice warm as she greeted, "Good morning, Professor Hobb, Miss Kelly."
Both lifted their heads and, for once, offered her a simple, polite "Good morning" back. That alone brought a quiet smile to Alina's lips. She wasn't invisible anymore.
