Cassia left the office, her heart heavy with the weight of his words. She followed Jess through the quiet corridors, the torchlight casting long shadows on the stone walls.
The palace felt different now. Less like a home and more like a battlefield, with enemies lurking in every shadow.
She reached her room, the door closing behind her with a soft click. She leaned against it, her body trembling with a fatigue that went deeper than just a sleepless night.
Jess moved to her side, her hand resting gently on Cassia's arm. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice soft.
Cassia shook her head, her eyes burning with unshed tears. "No," she admitted. "I am not alright. But I will be."
Jess guided her to the bed, helping her sit down. "You need to rest," she said. "You need to sleep."
Cassia nodded, her body slumping with exhaustion. "I know," she said. "But I am afraid to close my eyes. I am afraid of what I will see."
