Aire walked through the corridor back to her room numb.
Servants bowed as she passed. She did not acknowledge any of it. Her body moved, but her mind did not.
The words still echoed in her head.
'Illegitimate.' 'Whoring maid.'
Her fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her gown. She didn't remember when she started holding it so tightly.
Her steps didn't falter. She simply… kept moving until she reached her door.
It opened before she could touch it.
A servant stepped aside immediately after opening it, and Aire walked in. The door closed behind her with a soft click.
The world outside disappeared in the quietness of the room. Aire stood there for a moment, thinking.
Her shoulders dropped slowly. Her inside had finally loosened just enough to breathe.
She walked further in. Each step slower than the last. The weight in her chest didn't lift. It settled into her deeper and deeper with each step.
