The corridors of the palace were quiet, bathed in the soft golden glow of candlelight. Sebastian's steps were deliberate, the sound of polished boots clicking against marble echoing faintly. He stopped outside Aliena's room, his hand resting lightly on the doorframe.
"Aliena," he said, voice low, smooth, and teasing. "May I… spend the night?"
Aliena looked up from her book, eyes wide. "Spend the… night?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Her fingers lingered on the page as if it were a shield.
"Yes," he said, tilting his head, dark hair falling slightly over his eyes. "Right here. With you."
Aliena blinked, mortified and flustered. "Here? In my… room? Sebastian, I—"
"Don't overthink it," he interrupted, grinning in that way that made her heart thump in spite of herself. "I'm simply asking for your company. That's all. No tricks, no… mischief."
Aliena's eyes narrowed. "No tricks?"
"No tricks," he promised, though the corner of his mouth quirked dangerously.
