The silver glow of moonlight spilt across the marble floor, bathing the guest room in a cool, serene hue. Night had fallen quietly over Virencia, the sounds of the empire reduced to whispers carried on the wind. Within the chamber, all was still—save for the rustle of fabric and the quiet steps of Luke as he moved across the room.
He stood before the polished mirror, fingers adjusting the collar of his outer coat. Nothing too formal, nothing too flashy—just something decent enough to wander the upper tier of the empire without drawing unwanted attention. A breath passed his lips, the kind that tried to push out a day's worth of thoughts. Still, they lingered.
Behind him, reclining lazily across the couch with a light throw over her legs, Ilyrana's sharp elven gaze followed his movements.
"Going somewhere?" she asked, voice soft but not sleepy.
Luke turned slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Just thought I'd get some fresh air. Walk off the food, clear my head a bit."
