The courtyard was alive with birds chirping and butterflies flying around. Marble pillars glinted faintly, their tops entwined with blooming wisteria that swayed in the soft morning breeze. Fountains gurgled in the centre, their waters catching the light and scattering it across the stone floor like a scattering of stars.
Candice stepped into the courtyard, her journal tucked under one arm, the other hand grazing the pale stone walls as she walked. Helios was already there, standing tall and composed near the fountain, his robes flowing lightly with the wind. His expression was unreadable, but the faintest crease at his brow betrayed his attention to detail.
"Good morning, Lady Candice," Helios said, his voice carrying easily across the open space. "I trust your rest was good?"
"As good as it can be," she replied, trying to sound confident, though the memory of speaking about Aveline still churned uneasily in her stomach.
