Mabel saw the carriage first.
The moment the wheels crossed through the front gates of the castle, her gaze lifted from the book in her hand instinctively.
She had been seated near the balcony windows of her chamber, half listening to the distant sounds of the castle below.
The sight of the royal carriage immediately pulled her attention fully.
Her brows furrowed faintly.
She stood immediately.
The chair scraped softly against the floor as she moved toward the window. Her fingers brushed the curtains aside slightly.
The carriage came to a stop below.
Mabel's eyes narrowed.
Aire stepped out first.
Something about her looked… wrong. There was a strange heaviness around her that hadn't been there earlier that morning when she watched her parading the gardens with Marsali.
Mabel noticed it instantly.
Aire moved quietly down from the carriage. Her posture remained graceful and composed as always, but Mabel saw beyond that.
Her face looked too calm and empty.
