Ophelia's sickeningly sweet smile widened as my words echoed through the cavernous hall, a silent victory flashing in her pale eyes as she slowly rose from her deep, mocking courtesy. Beside her, Lucien let out a sharp, triumphant huff, his chest puffing out with an insufferable air of entitlement as he tucked her small hand securely back over his arm.
Without offering another word of deference to the crown, or even a backward glance at the thoroughly rattled king and queen on the high dais, Lucien turned and left the throne room as he guided his new bride out of the throne room, his heavy boots clicking loudly against the polished marble as he escorted her deeper into the castle. The heavy oak doors had shut behind their retreating forms when a sharp, familiar ding chimed violently inside my head, causing my vision to flicker momentarily as the blue interface materialized directly before my face, its glowing text shining on my eyes.
