A Second Sunrise

e awestruck by its sheer grandeur. The sunlight filtered through arched stained-glas

ton Palace," she thought, trying to hid

f grand dark mahogany doors, their frames carved with intricate, eccentric designs-dragons, roses, twi

is it, Octo

ared her shoulders, and

her took he

ystal-paned windows-was a garden so impossibly lush, it could've shamed the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Flowers bloomed in every shape and hue im

he second her eyes landed

arie W

al in a cruel war. Jealousy was her weapon of choice, and October, with her beauty, her presence, her very existence, had been the target s

vu?" October muttered under

he said, curtsying with grace. "I

h exaggerated annoyance. "Can't believe

unfazed. "Forgive me,

u d

Marie," came

sed, Scheuer gave October a nod of approval. "You're forgiven, October.

October replied sweet

in silence, save for occasional idle chatter. B

ing the door behind her. She dismissed Gloria with

on her stomach, her mind spinning with mem

ily. A tapestry wo

ere six

ady of the house in their mother's absence, admired for her business acumen and ability to maintain order. She w

me, brilliant, emotionally unavailable. He either turned a blind eye to October's suffering-

closed doors. A master manipulator, she ruled over high society with her teacup in one hand and a da

rill of battle. One of the only sisters who openly supported October. Fierce, funny, br

. Her twin. Her

ibling she had. And the

r class. She saw her sister's choices-living with their commoner mother, refusing privilege-as fool

hissed at her. "Don't expect me to

ay October stopped

uiet of her chamber

whispered, a lone tear

know where th