The golden rays of early morning filtered through the dorm windows as Luna stretched in bed, tangled in her blankets. She glanced to the side, catching Saige mid-yawn, her hair a mess and her eyes barely open.
"Remind me again why we scheduled an early library session?" Saige groaned, clutching her pillow.
"Because someone said we needed to take studying seriously now that we're actual college students," Luna teased, climbing out of bed.
Saige muttered something unintelligible into her pillow, making Luna laugh. The atmosphere was light, the kind of ordinary that felt comforting… yet tinged with something deeper.
Across campus, Asher stood on the balcony of his private suite, dressed in a black hoodie and sweatpants, phone to his ear.
"Yes, Father," he said curtly, jaw clenched. "I understand. I'll handle it."
There was a pause.
"No. I told you, she's not some pawn. She's… not what I expected."
