*Karina*

I slip away from the banquet hall the moment I’m sure no one is paying attention to me. The golden goblets and endless flutes of harp music were giving me a headache anyway. Too many ministers speaking in too many languages, all congratulating each other on another year of peace. I know I should care. It’s what’s expected of a future queen, but all I could think about was getting out. Out of the tight-laced gown, out of the smiles I’ve been practicing since I was five.

Out of the noise.

The hallways are cooler now, quiet in the way the castle only is at night. I don’t light...