Samantha's P. O. V

I didn't realize how vast this palace was until I spent nearly ten minutes walking in circles and still hadn't found the Obsidian Residence, which was the home of Lady Valeria.

I stopped, shifting the tray to my other hand as I looked around.

“How can this place be so large and still empty? Where is everyone?"

I muttered under my breath, sighing deeply.

I waited just enough to catch my breath before resuming my search, and before I knew it, I arrived at another residence.

I didn't remember stepping in. But one moment I was staring at the empty hallway, and the next there was...