The East Wing was almost its own building, placed farther away from the other wings but connected to the Palace by a long bridge.
It was while crossing the bridge that Rhea was suddenly overcome with an urge to pause and take in the breathtaking view of the Palace's rear.
Lush woods with green leaves, slowly changing into vibrant orange, red, and brown, stretched before her. A river cut through the field beside the woods, leading out west to a small village, where smoke spilled from chimneys and swirled in the thickening fog settling over the area as winter drew closer.
Trapped inside, worrying about love and acceptance—all the nonsensical drama—Rhea had not had time to explore the beauty of the Palace or even the roses she had been so taken with before.
She would now, with or without Augustus, and she kept that promise close to her heart as she continued down the bridge and into the small building—small in comparison to the other wings.
