Lucian sat at his desk, a map of the empire sprawled before him. His fingers traced the borders of his territory, lingering over areas that needed fortification and those ripe for expansion. However, today was different. Today, the task didn't feel as heavy as it once had. The weight of the empire wasn't solely on his shoulders anymore.
He glanced over at Isolde, seated across the table, her attention focused on a series of letters from her own kingdom, **Veridion**. Her posture was as poised as ever, her face a mask of calm authority, but there was an ease between them now that hadn't existed before. The memory of their kiss lingered in his mind, not as a distraction, but as a promise. They had crossed a line that night—a line of not just passion, but partnership.
Isolde looked up, meeting his gaze with a small, knowing smile. "You're staring," she teased, setting down the letter in her hand.
