Chapter 66: Wrapped in Warmth

[Leif's Pov—Continuation]

I HAVEN'T TOLD MY PARENTS YET.

The words slammed into my skull like a hammer of divine stupidity. I froze mid-step outside the tea hall, smiling stiffly at Madam—uh, Mother Selena—who was still talking about wedding colors. Wedding. Colors.

"Leif, dear, I think Alvar would look divine in navy," she was saying, all calm and composed. "And perhaps you in ivory silk?"

Navy. Ivory.

My brain short-circuited. I could already see it—my father collapsing from shock, my mother fainting into the wedding cake, Alina bullying Alvar and Zephyy eating the rings.

"Y-Yes, mother," I croaked, forcing a smile that screamed panic. "Ivory's… uh… very bridal."

As soon as her carriage left, I turned to Zephyy, clutching my head like the world's most dramatic soap opera hero.

"Zephyy," I hissed, "I'M DOOMED."