Few Days & Rumor

A few days later, Salviana and Jean were fully recovered, their energy restored, ready to face the world again. 

But whispers had already begun to circulate through the castle and the kingdom. Rumors about Salviana being cursed—or worse, a dark witch—spread like wildfire.

It was the talk of nobles and commoners alike. Salviana's striking beauty, with her fiery red hair and vivid green eyes, was now seen as a mark of something otherworldly. 

Her grace, her luck, her mere presence—it hadn't sat well with some before, and now, those doubts were bubbling to the surface.

Jean sat in her room, trying to tame her hair as she got ready for the day. 

She frowned in frustration, struggling to fix a pin that refused to stay in place.

"Stubborn thing," she muttered under her breath.

Lucius appeared at the door, his sharp eyes taking in her struggle.