CHAPTER 95: THE ARRIVAL OF LADY SASHA SUNCREST

The Arrival of Lady Sasha Suncrest

"My King. My Queen. My Prince. My Princess..."

The herald’s voice carried through the courtyard, each word measured, deliberate, echoing against marble and sunlight.

She paused—an intentional breath—turning toward the grand entrance framed by vines heavy with blooms and strands of gold light filtering through the air.

"...Lady Sasha Suncrest has arrived."

The courtyard went still. Even the wind seemed to pause, as if the world itself leaned in to listen. The fountain’s gentle murmur grew louder, the sound of falling water sharp in the silence. Banners swayed lazily, their silken edges brushing the carved pillars that surrounded the open space.

Victor stood with Ania beside him, Ben and Anna seated a few paces away. For a moment, no one moved. Then, faint and distant, came the soft rhythm of footsteps—measured, confident, almost regal in their pace.

Every sound was amplified—the click of a heel against the stone, the soft exhale of air before another step. And then she appeared.

Through the golden doorway came a figure that seemed to draw the light itself. Her hair, long and lustrous, gleamed like strands of spun sunlight, tied back in an elegant knot that revealed the graceful curve of her neck. Her dress—a flowing white robe embroidered with threads of silver—moved like wind-touched silk, every fold catching the light. Her skin was luminous; her lips carried a subtle cherry hue; her eyes, golden and deep, seemed to reflect the sky itself.

She wasn’t merely beautiful—she was radiant, breathtaking in the kind of way that stilled the world for a heartbeat.

Ben’s lips curved into a warm smile; Anna’s expression softened with motherly affection. Even Ania’s face lit up, her eyes sparkling as she whispered, "She’s here..."

But Victor—he didn’t move.

His gaze locked on Sasha, and for a heartbeat, the air in his lungs forgot how to move. Something inside him went still, almost trembling in silence. He’d seen her before—countless times. He knew every line of her face, every shade of warmth in her smile. Yet now... now she was different.

The sun made her seem unreal.

Her beauty wasn’t something that could be described—it was felt. It struck him like the soft ache of nostalgia, a quiet disbelief that something so human, so alive, could exist right in front of him.

He didn’t even realize his lips had parted slightly until a voice—soft, teasing, familiar—brushed through his thoughts.

"Darling... please close your mouth. You’re going to embarrass me in front of everyone."

Victor blinked. His mind stilled for a beat, and then his mouth closed at once. A quiet breath escaped him as a small smile crept across his lips.

"Ah, thank you for saving me, my love," he answered inwardly with quiet amusement. "Otherwise, I’d be standing here looking like a fool."

Violet’s voice laughed inside his mind—warm, playful, the sound like soft bells against his thoughts. "You always were my adorable fool, my love. Now, focus on your Sasha. She deserves your attention too."

His lips curved into a faint smile. "As you command, my beautiful wife."

"Mmm," came her reply, a whisper of affection that melted through him, "I love you."

"I love you too."

The invisible exchange ended, and Victor’s gaze returned to the woman approaching across the courtyard.

Sasha’s eyes flickered across each of them—Ben, Anna, Ania—before finally meeting Victor’s. The world seemed to narrow around that moment. She faltered, barely perceptible, a small hesitation in her step.

For a heartbeat, she was no longer Lady Suncrest. She was just Sasha—the woman who’d once laughed beside him, argued with him, and vanished without warning.

But she caught herself quickly, lifting her chin with quiet grace as she approached.

When she finally stopped, sunlight framed her silhouette, making her appear almost ethereal. She bowed gracefully, lowering her head.

"Your Majesty. My Queen. My Prince. My Princess," she said softly, her voice carrying a note of formality that trembled at the edges.

Anna rose first, a warm smile softening her regal composure. "My child," she said gently, moving forward, placing a hand on Sasha’s shoulder. "Don’t bow. You are not a stranger here."

Sasha froze for a second, her golden eyes flickering with confusion. "I—I only wished to show respect—"

Ben stood beside Anna, his tone carrying gentle humor. "Respect is earned by love, not distance. If my wife accepts you as family, then so do I. No need for formalities, dear."

Sasha’s lips parted slightly. The warmth in their tone disarmed her; she hadn’t expected it. Her chest tightened with quiet relief—relief mixed with guilt.

They’re not angry... she thought. Even after all this time...

Her eyes lowered for a moment before she managed a small smile. "You’re both too kind..."

Then she turned—slowly—to Victor.

He hadn’t spoken a word. He simply stood there, quiet, unreadable, the faintest glimmer of emotion flickering in his eyes. When their gazes met, something shifted—softer than a sigh, heavier than silence.

The air between them seemed to hum.

For an instant, Sasha felt the world blur out of focus—the flowers, the banners, the maids still standing at attention. All she saw was him.

He looked... older, sharper perhaps. The calmness in his face was steady, yet there was a depth in his eyes—a quiet storm waiting to speak.

She found her breath caught in her throat, but she forced herself to smile.

"Your Highness," she said softly.

Victor tilted his head slightly, then smiled in return—a small, almost teasing smile that softened the gravity of his expression. "You’ve come," he said quietly.

"I have," she answered.

Their words hung in the air, faint and fragile, before Anna’s gentle voice broke the silence again.

"Well, now that you’re here, I won’t have anyone standing around awkwardly." Anna smiled warmly, gesturing toward the table by the fountain. "Come, sit. The food will grow cold."

Sasha blinked, still half-caught in the warmth of the welcome. "I—yes, of course."

Ania darted forward, cheerful as ever, her hand slipping into Sasha’s with a smile. "You’re really pretty today, Lady Sasha! I love your dress."

Sasha’s face softened completely as she looked at the younger girl. "You’re even prettier when you smile like that, Ania."

Ania giggled, tugging her gently toward the table. "Come, sit next to my brother!"