Days had passed since Jasper had shared his darkest memories with Nicole. The air between them had grown more tender, the weight of their pasts easing slightly, but the future still held uncertainty. One crisp morning, as Nicole sat at the breakfast table, savoring her food, Jasper sat across from her, sipping his tea as he did every morning. His violet eyes, always calm, now glimmered with something unreadable.
"We've received an invitation to the festival ball in Apple Kingdom," he said, setting his cup down with a soft clink.
Nicole's eyes lit up with excitement. "A ball?" she repeated, her voice laced with enthusiasm. She had always loved balls—the music, the elegance, the chance to dress up. "Do you think I have enough time to make a dress?" she asked, her mind already racing with ideas.
Jasper took another sip of his tea, giving her a small smile. "There's no need for that. We'll be leaving the castle within the half-hour to buy our attire for the ball."
