The soft glow of lanterns lit the palace corridor as Vivian followed Sebastian. Each step felt heavy with meaning, yet light with anticipation. She could still feel the echo of their earlier night in the memory room—the paintings, the tears, the confessions—and her heart still raced with the warmth of it.
Sebastian led her to a hidden chamber. The door opened to a marble sanctuary, steam curling gently from a wide, warm bath carved directly from polished stone. Soft candlelight flickered across the room, dancing over the golden veins in the marble. The air smelled faintly of lavender and rose.
Vivian's eyes widened. "This… this is incredible."
Sebastian stepped closer, letting his gaze sweep over her. "You deserve more than incredible," he murmured. "You deserve peace, comfort… and tonight, only happiness."
Her chest tightened, and she looked down, trying to hide the blush that had begun to creep up her neck. "It's… perfect," she whispered, though her voice trembled.
