Every celestial being Selene passed fell still, their expressions frozen in disbelief.
Guards who had once stood like statues dropped their halberds with loud, ringing clatters that echoed down the silver corridors.
One of the moon maidens clutched her chest and sank to one knee, overcome with awe and emotion. Scroll-bearers halted mid-motion, hands trembling as golden texts slipped from their fingers and scattered across the marble floors.
And then—
"Lady Selene?!"
The voice rang sharp with emotion, disbelief, and something else — relief.
Elenya.
One of the three High Attendants of the House of the Moon — a young but fiercely gifted celestial whose silver threads of power kept the moon's sanctums in alignment during Selene's absences. She had been one of the few Selene entrusted with real authority. Bright-eyed, diligent, and too curious for her own good.