Kendrick
The moon hung heavy over the manor that night, casting a soft silver glow over the stone walls and quiet gardens.
The celebration had long ended, guests had departed, and the halls had fallen silent — but I could still feel the echoes of laughter, the distant trace of music in the air.
I found myself wandering again, restless, unable to sit still.
My feet carried me toward the guest wing without even thinking, drawn to her the way a moth is drawn to flame.
I paused at the door, my hand half-raised to knock.
Would she even want to see me?
Would she feel the same warmth I felt just being near her?
I swallowed thickly and knocked twice — soft, almost hesitant.
There was a pause, and then her voice came, soft through the wood.
“Come in.”
I opened the door carefully and st
