[Ovelia's POV]
The king's gaze fixed on me, and I couldn't help but feel nervous. His face was serious, his jaw set, his eyes—the same silver as Ace's—unreadable. I had never seen him smile.
"Ovelia," he said.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" My voice came out smaller than I intended.
"Do you regret joining them on this mission?" His voice was steady, unreadable. "On a dangerous mission?"
The memories of our journey flooded back. The challenges. The people I met. The sadness, the happiness, the fear, the joy. Everything.
My nervousness faded. I smiled. "No, Your Majesty."
I was shocked when I saw him smile—a smile like Ray's. Warm. Genuine. "I'm glad," he said, and the words carried an understanding that needed no explanation.
He leaned back in his throne, his expression settling back into its usual seriousness. "After the festival," he continued, "you will begin training to act like a princess. An etiquette instructor is coming to the palace to personally train you."
