The next morning, Nathan woke beside Sakura.
She was still asleep.
Her pink hair lay loosely across the pillow, and one hand rested near the edge of the blanket where she had been holding his sleeve during the night. The tension she had carried through the wedding had finally left her face.
Nathan watched her for a moment.
Yesterday had demanded more of her than she had admitted. There had been the ceremony, the endless greetings, and the people looking to her as their new ruler. Beneath all of that remained her father's departure and the knowledge that the life she had known was gone.
Even happiness could be exhausting.
Nathan pulled the blanket higher over her shoulder.
Sakura shifted slightly but did not wake.
He rose carefully, dressed, and glanced back once before approaching the window.
Outside, pale morning light touched the castle courtyard.
Nathan opened the window, stepped onto the ledge, and jumped.
