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something wicked

notes – TINKERED. XX Filler chapter.

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Crisp and cold in an invigorating way was the light breeze that playfully swirled in through the open window. Though it was almost the beginning of spring, Serdio always managed to cling to the last bitter edges of winter like a miser did to gold.

Emille flickered a pale azure glance at the heavy drapes that barely stirred with this zephyr and quirked her mouth in a half-smile at the interruption. Weighty as they were, the distinctive dry rustle of the fabric pulled her mind from the books in front of her and back into the present. Grateful for the break in her current studies, (as of now, the history of Serdio) she gave a delicate yawn and stretched stiff muscles.

Another breath of air that held a noticeable biting nip gusted inward, rattling loose papers on the polished—but still bearing the scars of several generations—desk that she sat at. Another yawn followed, prompting the young queen to rise and meander over to the source of her distraction. Slender hands pushed aside the bulky dark blue drapes, allowing for a spectacular view of Bale from the royal chambers.

Here and there, golden lamplights shone cheerfully along streets and mimicked candles that sat in windows of the few households that were still awake.

…awake?

Oh no, certainly it couldn't be anything past ten…?

A quick measure of the fat, silvery orb that was the moon determined the true lateness of the hour. With a berating roll of her eyes, Emille reached up to bring the window down, to shut the nippy air out of the room. Her breath was a ghostly cloud as she took one more look outside, at the peacefully sleeping city still in its winter blanket of last snow.

Shadows danced on the blush of golden light that the lamps cast, frolicking merrily in a ballet that never remained the same.

Except for…that one, there.

Her brows furrowed as she squinted. No, she was imagining things, but…

Still as stone, the lone shadow poked out from a lamppost like a cat might peek around a corner, and it might have been her imagination, but she swore there was a flash of fire red before the shadows returned to their dancing.

Her head shook as if to clear the image that her tired mind produced and looked harder, seeing nothing but the normal night dance.

There was a thump in the room that adjoined the one she was standing in, and Albert's muffled exclamation reached her ears. Shaking the image of shadows from her mind, the blond queen started for the half opened door with the intent on informing her husband of the time.

That was when the door slammed shut before she could even touch it.

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