[Novel is undergoing editing]
The corridor beyond Trial Three opened into a tranquil garden bathed in starlight, far too serene for what they'd just endured. The soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots felt like a lullaby after all the screaming ghosts of their insecurities.
"Is this... a break?" Verena asked cautiously, eyeing the peaceful cherry blossoms swaying overhead. "Or is the garden about to try and eat us?"
Isolde narrowed her eyes at a suspiciously perfect bench. "That bench is definitely cursed. Or it explodes."
Vivienne sighed dreamily. "It's beautiful... Maybe this is a reward for passing the trial."
Verena pinched the bridge of her nose. "Girl, this is a smut novel. There's no such thing as 'just a peaceful break.' This is probably a bonding scene in disguise. Someone's about to confess their tragic backstory or lean in for an almost-kiss."
A pause.
Isolde cleared her throat. "...You first?"
Verena shot her a look.
"I was joking," Isolde added. "Mostly."
