But the moment was shattered by a sound that reverberated through the chamber: . Galitsin, ever the vigilant guardian, had followed the faintest disturbance in the night’s stillness. His eyes, hardened by years of service, fell upon Alice, her hands trembling with the glow of the Torrent.
"Valentina," Alice whispered, "what if we could use the Torrent to end the famine that haunts the southern farms? We could change everything." Galitsin Punishment For Disobedience Alice Valentina Torrent
Within the torrent’s depths, Alice faced visions: the starving children of the south, their hollow eyes; the crumbling farms; the faces of those she loved—her mother, her mentor, the queen she had vowed to protect. She felt the weight of her desire to heal them, but also the cost: a kingdom unbalanced, a magic abused. But the moment was shattered by a sound
He raised a hand, silencing her. "You have broken your oath, child. The Torrent is not yours to command." "Valentina," Alice whispered, "what if we could use
A sudden flash of light pierced the darkness. Valentina, channeling her own water magic, extended a hand toward Alice, summoning a that pulsed with the same silvery hue as the Torrent itself. “Hold on, Alice!” she cried.
"Alice Valentina," Galitsin intoned, his voice resonant, "you have been judged by the eyes of your peers. May the Torrent reveal the truth of your heart."
Alice’s defiance flared. "We could—"