The journey back to her residence passed in heavy silence.
By the time they arrived, the palace had already come alive with celebration instead of mourning. Attendants hurried through the corridors, no longer bothering to hide their smiles. The thick despair that had blanketed the Imperial Palace for hours had lifted almost overnight.
The Emperor had returned.
No formal announcement had been made, but news like that didn't need one. It spread on whispers and relieved laughter. Servants exchanged excited glances. Guards smiled at each other. Even the people Kiara passed on the way had tears of joy in their eyes.
Noah quietly opened the shutter to their residence.
Kiara stepped into the room without a word. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, her legs buckled.
She sank onto the edge of the bed and buried her face in both hands.
The silence that followed was crushing.
"I'm such a fool," she whispered, voice barely audible.
A bitter, broken laugh escaped her.
