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Chapter 16

Author: Chogiwa
last update Last Updated: 2022-04-03 20:14:41
**Chapter 16: Beneath the Surface**

The evening sky had faded into a soft, dusky purple, and the stars began to blink awake above the castle’s sprawling gardens. The music that had filled the air earlier now seemed distant, the laughter of the courtiers softer, as Karina stood by one of the tall stone columns, sipping the wine Gabriel had so enthusiastically handed her. The warmth of the drink mingled with the warmth of the evening sun still lingering over the horizon, and for the first time in days, she felt a sense of peace settle within her.

She had needed this. The lightness of the moment, the laughter, the carefree nature of it all—it was a fleeting escape, but it was exactly what she needed.

And then there was Gabriel, as ever the source of energy and charm, spinning about in the middle of the garden like some wind-up toy. He had a way of making everyone around him feel like they were part of something special, like the night could belong to them.

Karina was about to laugh at so
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