I step into the lavish, expansive room that has been specifically arranged for me. Elin is already inside waiting. The moment she sees me and Lucian step through the heavy doors, she immediately drops into a deep, panicked bow.
"Glory to Your Imperial Highness! Glory to the Imperial Consort!"
"Rise, Elin," I say, waving a hand tiredly.
She raises her head just as I absolutely give up on imperial etiquette. I unceremoniously kick off my heavy silver heels, letting them clatter against the polished dark wood floor, and walk straight to the massive, silk-draped bed.
I collapse onto the edge of it with a massive, exhausted sigh. The sheer weight of this suffocating dress and the mental gymnastics of surviving my family have completely drained me.
Elin gasps softly and immediately scrambles forward, ready to meticulously arrange my discarded heels.
But before she can even reach them, a faint, icy blue aura flashes in the air.
