The morning sunlight filtered through the grand windows of Auriel's chambers, painting the room in golden hues.
The goddess sat at the edge of her bed, brushing her hair absently as her mind wandered back to the events of the previous day.
She felt groggy, despite having slept through the night without interruption. Her dreams had been restless, filled with flashes of swirling images she couldn't quite grasp, leaving her with an odd, lingering unease.
Carol, on the other hand, stood by the window, her arms crossed and her expression as stormy as ever.
She had stayed up most of the night, her sharp eyes scanning the halls for any sign of trouble. The tension in her shoulders spoke volumes about her frustration.
A knock at the door interrupted their thoughts, and without waiting for an invitation, the Duchess swept inside, her smile as radiant and infuriating as ever.
