KING MAGNUS'S POV
Aria had left the room to make dinner, a small act of kindness she hoped would ease the weight on my shoulders. But no food could fill the void gnawing at my soul. The palace was quiet—too quiet—as if even the walls mourned Grandma Gwen's loss.
She was my everything, my anchor. She had raised me, comforted me, guided me through every storm life threw my way. And now she was gone. Gone in the most brutal way imaginable.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her picture on the nightstand. It was one of her favorites, taken during one of her rare carefree moments. Her warm smile and sparkling eyes stared back at me, but instead of comfort, it felt like a cruel reminder of what I'd lost.
My heart twisted painfully as memories flooded my mind. I could hear her voice in my head, calling my name, urging me to be strong like she always had. But this time, I hadn't been there for her.
