The following day arrived quietly. For the first time in many months, Emma woke before dawn without the familiar ache in her chest. She rose from her bed and walked to the window, watching the first light slowly spread across the gardens of Moon Estate. Her gaze drifted toward the distant gates, and a faint smile touched her lips. Soon, Brandon would arrive, just as he always did. She wasn't expecting some grand declaration from him, nor did she believe everything between them had been magically repaired. She simply knew one thing with absolute certainty: he would come.
A gentle knock sounded on her chamber door, and Emma turned from the window. "Come in." The maid stepped inside and bowed. "My Queen Luna, Mrs Thompson has arrived."
She nodded. "I'll be down shortly."
The maid hesitated near the door, her hands coming together in front of her. "There is something else."
She looked up. "What is it?"
