The first rays of dawn filtered through the tall, arched windows of Ivanova's royal palace, casting golden streaks across the polished marble floors.
The soft chirping of morning birds in the garden mingled with the distant clatter of servants beginning their day.
In the princess's wing, the corridors were silent except for the faint echo of soft slippers against the stone.
Ariana stirred beneath her silken sheets, the memory of last night's dream lingering like smoke in her mind.
Her chest rose and fell slowly, her thoughts still tangled in the flames and dragons that had danced in the darkness.
Outside her window, the palace gardens glimmered with dew, the roses and lavender bushes bathed in a gentle morning light.
The fountains gurgled quietly, reflecting a sky painted in hues of pink and lavender.
Ariana's gaze lingered on the gardens, the serene beauty in stark contrast to the chaos of her dream.
