PHOENIX

I trudged alongside Claudius, my feet heavy with despair.

The encounter with Rayna had left me feeling defeated and confused.

Why was she treating me like a stranger? Everyone kept saying that I betrayed her but it didn't seem to add up, none of this seemed to make sense. As I walked behind Claudius, i wondered if he would tell me if I asked him for more details.

But I knew better, he wouldn't do that.

As we walked, the cold air of the manor's corridors enveloped me, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat of the room we had just left.

I shivered, my mind racing with thoughts...