"My lord…" Stella called again, her voice shaky. She was confused because she was sure she had locked the door to Lumina's chamber.
Her eyes darted toward her lady. Even though Lumina was blind, the look on her face carried the same expression of shock that Stella herself felt.
Ashen looked just as startled. Only moments ago, he had been preparing to leave for the royal palace. He had been speaking to Ero, when his words had suddenly cut off, his voice vanishing mid-sentence. The young man stood completely still, like a statue.
Ashen frowned and called his name again and again, but no matter how loud his voice grew, Ero did not move.
That was when Ashen realized something terrifying. The air itself felt heavy, and the world around him seemed locked in place. Servants frozen mid-step, curtains unmoving in the breeze, even the flicker of the lamp's flame stopped. It was as if time itself had been stolen.
