Chapter 42: Whispering Ruins
Moonlight filtered through gauzy curtains, painting silver ripples on Evelisse’s floor. The shell lay beneath her pillow again—quiet this time, but still warm. Still watching. Still waiting.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes and trying not to wake Snugglewuff who snored like a sleepy teapot at the foot of her bed. The room was silent except for his tiny wheezing snorts and the gentle pulse of her heartbeat, which was starting to race.
Fluffy appeared beside her, yawned, and floated lazily near her shoulder like a lantern on low energy mode.
"You’re up," he mumbled. "Let me guess... another midnight sneak-out?"
Evelisse didn’t answer right away. She padded barefoot across the cold floor, opened her wardrobe, and began pulling on her soft-soled slippers and a hooded robe.
"You’ve been sneaking out more than a rogue squirrel in an acorn vault, Your Royal Stealthiness." Fluffy continued, squinting at her. "What’s the excuse this time?"
Evelisse tied her sash with a determined tug. "This body," she muttered, "happens to attract weird shells, glowing caves, musical fish, and cryptic murals that look like me. I’m just trying not to drag the entire royal family into a magical meltdown."
Fluffy grinned. "So... you’re sneaking out because you’re dramatic."
"I’m sneaking out," Evelisse corrected, "because I’m practical. If I wait any longer, someone else might find that door."
He hovered closer. "You’re not going unarmed, are you? What’s the plan?"
Evelisse crossed her arms. "I need two things. One, a cloaking mechanism to hide me for five hours. Two, a body double to stay here in bed in case someone checks."