After the harrowing events at the royal estate, Ophelia and Arc returned to their home in the capital, surrounded by a fortress of guards.
The once serene and welcoming estate had transformed into a bastion of security, with guards patrolling every corner and entrance.
Ophelia's paranoia was justified; she couldn't risk Arc being taken again.
Inside the mansion, servants moved through the rooms, checking every window and door to ensure they were securely locked.
Their duchess's anxiety was palpable, and she struggled to find any sense of normalcy.
Arc, although safe, remained quiet and subdued, his recent ordeal casting a shadow over his usual bright demeanor.
In the days that followed, Ophelia tried to maintain a semblance of routine, but the constant presence of guards and the underlying tension made it difficult.
She rarely left Arc's side, fearing that any moment of separation might lead to another disappearance.
