the rejected mate: special awakening

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Felice woke up with glitter in her hair, one sock missing, and Trixie snoring on her arm like a magical koala.

The room looked like a storm had passed through. Floating candles hung at weird angles, someone had transfigured the fruit bowl into a tiny disco ball, and there was a glamor spell still halfway activated on Kaela's hair—it kept turning from neon pink to electric blue every few seconds.

"Why do I feel like we summoned a small hurricane?" Felice muttered, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"Because you did," Liora groaned from under a pile of pillows. "You and Trixie challenged the kitchen elves to a cookie-off, remember?"

Felice blinked. "...I did?"

"You made exploding marshmallows."

"Nice."

Just as they were about to clean up the magical mess and sneak back to their rooms, a knock came at the door.

Before anyone could answer it, the door flung open.

A royal attendant, pale and wide-eyed, stood panting in the hallway. "Your Highness—Princess Liora—Your guests… they're here. Early."

"Guests?" Liora blinked.

Felice looked at her. "What guests?"

"The entire royal family of the Solar Flame Kingdom," the attendant said dramatically.

The girls screamed in unison.

"Trixie your glam spell is still on!"

"Kaela your hair is attacking me!"

"Amaris, where are my pants?!"

"Why are my lips still sparkling?!"

It was absolute chaos as they scrambled to fix their appearances, running in circles, casting last-minute spells, and arguing over who had used the last of the de-glitter charm.

Meanwhile…

Down in the entrance hall, Lysander stood watching the Solar Flame entourage enter with their gilded cloaks and dramatic golden carriage.

He looked… bored.

Then his eyes flicked up to the balcony as a very chaotic-looking Felice tripped and face-planted next to a potted plant, sparkles still radiating off her pajamas.

Their eyes met.

Felice froze.

Lysander raised one brow.

She groaned and muttered, "Please let this potted plant eat me."

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