The absolute microsecond Celestian and Silvia's footsteps traversed beyond the threshold, dissolving into the silence of the corridor, a heavy calm descended over the chamber.
Standing near the portal, the layer of irritation, impatience, and clear frustration deepened significantly across Lucy's facial features.
Clenching her hands into fists, she rested them against her waist, releasing a deep, impatient breath as she tapped her boot sharply against the marble floor. Sparks of unquenched discontent flared within her pupils.
Conversely, the countenances of the three young women seated upon the sofa—Luna, Miryana, and Alexia—presented a starkly contrasting resonance.
Luna calmly deposited her teacup back onto the table, zero complaints or discontent surfacing across her features. The subtle, mysterious curve remained anchored across Miryana's lips, as though the entire sequence introduced zero surprise within her.
Meanwhile, Alexia supported her cheek within her palm, silently tracking the vacant portal through her calm, grave pupils, her countenance absolute and undisturbed.
The absolute microsecond he stepped beyond the threshold, Celestian aligned his trajectory toward the exact corridor where the royal handmaiden had escorted Eric merely moments prior.
Behind him walked Silvia, draped in an ethereal Luna Moth fairy gown—an exquisite composition of sage-green and soft blush-pink layered chiffon.
The silky rustle of her gown alongside the faint clinking of delicate beadwork echoed softly through the quiet space. The sheer, moth-wing sleeves and flowing layered hem of her attire floated like petals around her frame with every step.
Her hair displayed a serene light-green hue at the top, seamlessly cascading into a delicate, soft pinkish gradient toward the tips.
Advancing forward, a calm, handsome smile appeared on Celestian's lips as he asked without turning back:
"Silvia... why are you trailing behind me?"
Increasing her pace, Silvia aligned her steps parallel to his. A playful spark ignited within her striking light-green eyes, and with a sweet smile, she replied effortlessly:
"Just... because."
Hearing her response, Celestian released a soft breath and chuckled softly:
"Alright then..."
Continuing forward, they reached the grand hall where a massive, winding marble staircase spiraled upward toward the upper tier.
Instead of stepping onto the stairs, Celestian came to a halt. In the very next second, a brilliant, divine golden radiance flared around his body. From beneath that aura, a pair of massive, snowy-white wings extended smoothly from his back.
Spreading his luminous wings with a gentle motion, Celestian disengaged from the floor, slowly floating upward into the draft without taking a single step on the spiral staircase.
Silvia watched Celestian rising effortlessly into the air. Though she possessed no wings of her own, she too refrained from stepping onto the staircase. Allowing her layered green-and-pink gown and gradient tresses to sway, she released her frame into the draft.
In that microsecond, a shimmering golden light expanded directly beneath her boots, and without wings, she drifted smoothly into the air, her fairy gown flowing softly as she floated parallel alongside Celestian toward the upper floor.
Floating upward through the draft, the grandeur of the imperial citadel expanded with every passing second. At the conclusion of each tier, expansive corridors branching into multiple directions, carved marble arches, and rows of grand portals drifted past.
Without setting a single foot upon the winding staircase, Celestian and Silvia smoothly traversed multiple stories directly through the air.
Ultimately, upon arriving parallel to the uppermost tier of the citadel, Celestian's golden gaze anchored strictly onto the bend of the distant corridor.
At that exact microsecond, emerging from the final stretch of the main pathway, the royal handmaiden arrived at that precise coordinate, escorting Eric alongside her.
Eric's boots had merely just made contact with the marble surface of the top floor.
Celestian slowed the motion of his massive, snowy-white wings. Guiding his frame downward, he softly brought his boots to rest upon the floor of the expansive imperial court.
This particular tier featured an extraordinarily vast amount of space. A wide, majestic open floor stretched across the hall, flanked by intricately carved royal columns.
Around this open central courtyard stood the grand portals of exclusive suites, with refined passages and walkways weaving neatly between the chambers.
Swaying softly within her sage-green and blush-pink Luna Moth fairy gown, Silvia landed beside Celestian with absolute grace, her boots touching down onto the spacious marble floor.
Sensing a formidable, divine presence manifesting within the expansive court, Eric came to a halt. Rotating the alignment of his neck, he elevated his gaze toward the source of the golden luminescence.
His eyes locked directly onto Celestian and Silvia.
Observing Eric, a deeply gentle, refined, and handsome smile surfaced across Celestian's lips. Standing beside him, Silvia's light-green eyes flickered with playful warmth as she delicately raised her hand, waving her palm through the air to greet him.
Simultaneously, the royal handmaiden advanced forward, parting the heavy carved doors of the designated suite.
As the entrance expanded, Eric's focus shifted back toward the threshold. Bowing slightly with utmost reverence, the handmaiden projected softly:
"Please step inside to rest... I shall arrange fresh attire and refreshments for you shortly."
Eric offered a brief, measured nod of acknowledgment before advancing his strides beyond the threshold of the chamber.
The interior of the sanctuary presented an extraordinarily serene and magnificent atmosphere. Harmonized seamlessly with white marble and golden embellishments, various rare spectral hues shimmered across the decor. Intricate golden vases holding arrayed, fragrant blossoms infused the ambient air with a subtle, soothing aroma.
On the adjacent path, Celestian advanced effortlessly toward the portal of his personal sanctuary.
The absolute microsecond he approached the threshold, the massive carved portal dissolved its latch on its own, smoothly gliding open without physical contact.
Celestian stepped into the chamber.
Retaining her gentle smile, Silvia followed directly behind him.
The moment their feet traversed beyond the threshold, the massive royal portal slowly glided back into place, closing with a soft, resonant acoustic hum.
The absolute microsecond the massive carved portal settled back into its latch, Celestian advanced his long strides directly toward the colossal royal bed anchored within the heart of the grand suite.
Reaching the bedside, he lowered his frame onto the plush velvet mattress with absolute ease. Extending both arms backward to support his weight against the bedding, he released a slow, deep breath, stretching his frame to relieve the subtle tension within his muscles. His golden pupils remained half-lidded, reflecting a quiet layer of relaxation.
On the adjacent side, Silvia—who had remained standing silently a short distance from the threshold—allowed a warm, gentle smile to expand across her lips.
The sheer sage-green and blush-pink layers of her Luna Moth fairy gown swayed softly through the draft with every step. Advancing her refined boots across the floor, she glided forward, steadily closing the distance between herself and Celestian.