As Liliana walked alone in the hallway, her usually graceful strides seemed to lack their usual purpose. Her expression was a mask of indifference, betraying no hint of the turmoil brewing within her.
Despite the bright greetings of the people she passed, she remained untouched by their warmth, her mind consumed by her own thoughts.
"Don't you think that the Second Princess has been too gloomy these days?" whispered one of the maids as Liliana walked out of earshot.
"Perhaps she has matured after all the events. But I don't know how to feel about it. She used to make this palace lively," another replied, their voices tinged with concern.
Lost in her thoughts, Liliana walked without a destination in mind, yet somehow she found herself standing in front of her room. She glanced at the imposing wooden door in silence, her expression unreadable, before reaching out to grasp the cool metal knob and pushing the door open.
