Morning came softly.
Light filtered through tall curtains, pale gold against the stone walls, and for a few seconds I stayed very still, floating between sleep and waking. My body felt warm, loose in a way it rarely did.
Then memory returned.
Laughter. Too much laughter. The Queen wiping tears from her eyes. Maribel nearly falling off the bed. Being shooed out like mischievous children long past midnight.
I smiled to myself.
[Achievement unlocked,] Nero said lazily. [Stayed up too late talking like normal people.]
I turned my head.
Maribel was sprawled across half the bed, face buried in a pillow, curls exploding in every possible direction. She snored softly, completely unbothered by the world.
My smile softened.
Yesterday, she had called me her friend. Not teasing. Not flippant. Just… natural.
The word still felt strange. Good. Fragile.
[Your first friend host.]
Yeah.
