Ignoring the tears building up, she decided to go take that shower. After the bath that took a bit too long, she dressed herself in soft jeans and a loose long-sleeved shirt, tied her hair back into a messy bun and stepped outside the room, ignoring the maid hovering nearby.

The hallways was filled with maids and servants going about their daily duties. Some stared, some nodded and some gave her tight, respectful smiles like she’d just come home from a funeral.

Some of them bowed, even, with small murmurs of gratitude that curled her stomach in ways she didn’t understand. But others... Others didn’t smile

She heard someone murmur...