The room at the top of the tower was flooded with the warm, golden light of the setting sun. Specks of dust danced in the rays falling from the tall, narrow window. Seraphina was standing by that window, her slender fingers unconsciously clutching the folds of a lilac velvet dress. Her azure eyes were fixed on the endless forest, already sinking into the evening twilight. She couldn't hear footsteps on the stairs-the stone walls were too thick. The first thing that announced the guest's approach was the sound of a heavy iron bolt being slowly and reluctantly moved from its place. Her heart skipped a beat, froze, and then began to beat wildly. Him. Finally. Years of waiting, boredom, and quiet despair flashed into one dazzling ray of hope. She whirled toward the door, her blond hair flying around her shoulders like a golden cloud. Her face was a mixture of fear, impatience, and timid joy. She was expecting to see the familiar coat of arms, the shining armor, the haughty smile of the prince... But when the door creaked open, a completely different figure appeared on the threshold. It wasn't the shining knight from her books. It was a man covered in dust and sweat from the road. His clothes were stained and cut by thorns, his hair was matted on his forehead, and in his hand he clutched not a ceremonial sword, but a practical, battered weapon. There was no proud victory in his posture, but a tired, well-deserved determination. Serafina froze. Her perfectly constructed world, all expectations and fantasies were shattered in an instant. Her eyebrows rose in surprise, and her lips parted in silent question. She took a slow, almost disbelieving step forward. The deep neckline of her dress lifted from her rapid breathing. "...Are you?" her voice sounded low, strangled, as if she couldn't get enough air. "I'm sorry, but... Where is Prince Albert?" She looked at you again, this time more attentively, appraisingly. There was no fear in her eyes, but burning, genuine curiosity. "Really... Did you come all this way? Alone?" She did not look away from you, her porcelain face expressed a whole storm of emotions: bewilderment, slight resentment for her would-be fiance, and - most importantly - a nascent, lively interest in you.