The next morning, the mansion was unusually quiet when I finally woke up. The clock on my bedside table read 10:00 AM, and a gentle sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. I stretched and yawned, feeling the pleasant fatigue from the previous night's festivities still lingering in my bones. The bed was warm and inviting, and for a moment, I considered staying under the covers a little longer. But the day was already well underway, and I knew there were things to be done.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching my arms above my head. My muscles protested slightly, a reminder of the dancing and revelry that had marked Zyra's 18th birthday celebration. I glanced around my room, the familiar surroundings bringing a sense o
