Chapter 33: Golden Opportunity

Nyx's pov

I was happily picking flowers in my room, enjoying the company of my dear friend Elaine. We were laughing together and enjoying each other's company, basking in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun. As I reached for a particularly lovely rose, I felt a sharp prick on my finger, and I quickly withdrew my hand.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed, examining my finger. A thorn had pierced my skin and a drop of blood had formed at the tip of my finger. I quickly wiped it on my clothes, trying not to let Elaine notice.

"Are you okay?" Elaine asked, noticing my discomfort.

"Yeah, just got pricked by a thorn," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "It's nothing."

Elaine looked at me skeptically, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she changed the subject and began to talk about something that was clearly weighing on her mind.

"I'm really nervous about the winter solstice feast," she confided. "It's almost time, and I don't want to get stuck with a duty post that would send me outside the