The morning sun had barely risen, but the city was already moving.

  Elves bustled through the narrow streets of Alinthor, making final checks on their stalls, stringing the last of the glowing lanterns across walkways, adjusting signs written in gold calligraphy.

  Shopkeepers cleaned their storefronts one last time before preparing to close early. Musicians tuned crystal instruments on street corners.

  The air felt lighter. Charged. Like it was holding its breath.

  Tonight was the ceremony.

  And everything needed to be perfect.

  Nyx, however, didn’t wake up to the gentle sound of harps or the scent of morning dew.

  She woke up to Lorienna.

  “Get up.”

  A pillow smacked her in the face.

  Nyx groaned and rolled over. “Go away.”

  “Nope.” Lorienna yanked off the blankets. “Today’s the day, sleepyhead. You have a festival to lead.”

  Nyx sat up slowly, glaring. “Remind me why I agreed to this again?”

  Lorienna grinned, already pulling her toward the bathing chamber.

  The bath was already drawn.

  Warm. Softly steaming. Smelling faintly of herbs.

  Rosemary and lavender.

  “Tradition,” Lorienna reminded her, elbowing her gently. “To wash off bad energy.”

  Nyx muttered something under her breath but got in anyway.

  The milk bath clung to her skin with a velvety touch. Floating herbs brushed past her arms. She sat there, silent, letting it happen.

  Not relaxing. Just… surrendering.

  Once dried and robbed, they were led to the next room.

  A small temple chamber where the priest waited.

  The prayer was short, quiet, and spoken in the old tongue. Nyx didn’t understand all the words, but she didn’t need to.

  The air shifted around her—not heavy, not strange. Just clean.

  She glanced at Lorienna, who gave her a wink mid-prayer.

  Nyx rolled her eyes.

  Afterward came food—sweet lotus pastries, salted nutbread, and cold fruit. Nyx barely tasted it. She was too focused on what came next.

  Hair.

  She already regretted it.

  She sat stiffly on a cushioned stool while two stylists circled her like vultures. They lifted strands of her hair, murmuring plans, adjusting angles.

  Then one of them reached for her veil.

  She caught the movement from the corner of her eye and immediately turned her head away.

  Before she could speak—

  “No touching that,” Lorienna said, stepping in smoothly with her arms crossed. “Not even a little.”

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  The stylist paused, hands still midair.

  “She keeps it on,” Lorienna added with finality.

  That was that.

  Nyx didn’t say thank you. But she looked at Lorienna.

  And Lorienna smiled like she already knew.

  The veil stayed.

  But everything else transformed.

  Her silver hair was drawn into an intricate updo—twisted and braided into a crown that circled her head like a halo. Each loop tucked into a low, flawless bun at the back.

  The stylists added silver vine-like accessories that gleamed softly under the light, weaving them through the braids.

  A slim circlet rested just above, elegant and understated, making her look more like something out of a celestial myth than a ceremony planner.

  Nyx stared at her reflection for a moment. She almost didn’t recognize herself.

  Lorienna’s turn was faster, but no less stunning.

  Her silver hair was left long, flowing down her back in soft, cascading waves. The top was twisted into a voluminous half-crown, with tiny braids woven through for texture.

  Golden floral clips glinted from between the strands, matched by delicate chain pieces that draped over her shoulders. A few soft strands framed her face, catching the light just right.

  She looked every bit a daughter of royalty.

  And she knew it.

  “Not bad,” she said, fluffing her hair and checking her side profile in the mirror. “Not bad at all.”

  Nyx snorted softly but didn’t disagree.

  Then came the final step.

  It was time to get dressed.

  The sun was climbing. The streets outside had quieted.

  Everything was ready.

  And so were they.

  Nyx stood in front of the mirror, tugging lightly at the sleeve of her gown.

  “This is… a lot,” she muttered under her breath.

  Behind her, Lorienna beamed.

  “It’s perfect. You look like someone who was born under a prophecy.”

  Nyx turned slightly, the light catching the embroidery across her skirt.

  “Or like someone who’s about to trip over fifteen layers of fabric.”

  “Then you’ll trip gracefully,” Lorienna said with a wink.

  The silver gown flowed around Nyx like mist—light, ethereal, and otherworldly. She barely recognized herself in the reflection.

  And Lorienna—draped in shimmering silver and gold, with her hair flowing in soft waves—looked every bit the daughter of royalty.

  They stood together for a moment, quiet, looking at themselves side by side.

  “…We clean up well,” Nyx admitted.

  Lorienna grinned. “Damn right we do.”

  The moment they stepped outside, the world seemed to shift.

  The ceremony had only just begun, but everything already sparkled with life.

  Soft music floated through the air. Elven children ran with shimmering ribbons. Crystal lanterns hung from above, casting gentle hues of rose, blue, and golden light over the stone paths.

  Guests in elaborate masks wandered the streets, laughter mixing with the hum of instruments.

  Nyx’s eyes swept the scene, silent for a moment.

  “This looks…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

  “Exactly like your plan?” Lorienna finished for her.

  Nyx gave her a sideways glance. “I wasn’t going to say it like that.”

  “You’re allowed to take credit, you know,” Lorienna nudged her. “The Queen literally approved it.”

  They paused at the top of the grand staircase. From here, they could see everything—the glowing walkways, the shimmering decor, the magic in motion.

  “I can’t believe they pulled it off,” Nyx murmured.

  “I can,” Lorienna said. “Because it was your vision. They just had to catch up.”

  As the two began descending the steps, the crowd took notice.

  Whispers rippled like wind across water.

  “Is that… the princess?”

  “She’s with the human girl.”

  “Her hair… it’s silver.”

  “She’s the one who planned all this?”

  Nyx kept her head high, her steps steady. She could feel the stares, but she didn’t let them shake her.

  Beside her, Lorienna whispered with a grin, “You’d think you were royalty the way they’re looking at you.”

  “Let’s not get carried away,” Nyx muttered, though her lips twitched at the corner.

  They reached the heart of the plaza, where a wide platform sat beneath an open archway of woven vines and glowing crystal strands.

  Queen Valenya sat with a serene smile beside the King, their seats framed by blooming floral arrangements and soft lights.

  The Queen’s eyes lifted as Nyx and Lorienna approached.

  She said nothing at first.

  Just studied them quietly.

  “You both look radiant,” she said at last.

  Nyx dipped her head slightly. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “You’ve created something remarkable,” the Queen continued. “Everywhere I look, there is beauty and intention.”

  Nyx glanced around the plaza—at the silken banners dancing in the wind, the soft glow of gold calligraphy on menus, the laughter of children playing near the flower walls.

  “I just… wanted it to mean something,” she replied softly. “To be more than pretty lights.”

  “It does,” Valenya said. “It feels like something sacred. And yet, it’s warm. Familiar.”

  Lorienna leaned closer to her mother. “I told you she was good.”

  The Queen chuckled. “You were right.”

  The King, quiet until now, gave a slow nod.

  “Well done,” he said simply.

  Nyx blinked. “Thank you… both of you.”

  Valenya smiled. “Now go. Enjoy what you’ve created. This night belongs to everyone—but especially to you.”

  As they turned to join the celebration, Lorienna bumped her shoulder lightly.

  “You hearing this? Royal approval. Praise from literal monarchs. I think you’re officially important now.”

  “I think I’m officially overwhelmed,” Nyx replied, though the tension in her shoulders had eased.

  They walked together through the glowing plaza, two girls—one royal, one forgotten—surrounded by the beauty they helped bring to life.

  And the night was only just beginning.