Three days had passed since the battle in the Northern Kingdom.

The snow had begun to melt.

For the first time in centuries, sunlight reached the streets without the shadow of the ancient crown hanging over them.

Lucien stood at the edge of the city, watching the Northern people rebuild.

Beside him, Seraphina held a cup of warm tea.

"You've been staring at the same house for ten minutes."

Lucien smiled.

"I'm thinking."

"That's dangerous."

He laughed softly.

"Very funny."

She leaned against the stone wall.

"Are you thinking about the red fragment?"

Lucien's smile disappeared.

"Yes."

The fragment had been found three days earlier.

Small.

Almost harmless-looking.

But the...