Lexzandra carefully slips back into the ballroom, her nerves still frayed from her recent clandestine trip to the dungeon.
The stark contrast between the lively, opulent atmosphere of the ball and the cold, shadowy corridors she just traversed heightens her sense of unease.
The sound of music fills the grand room, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation. Laughter ripples through the air, and the sight of elegantly dressed nobles dancing under the chandelier's glow offers a semblance of normalcy.
Yet, amidst this festive scene, no one seems to notice the absence of the empire's only princess.
She pauses at the entrance, the heavy door at her back, scanning the room with a sharp gaze to ensure no one is watching her too closely.
It took her half an hour to make her way back from the dungeon, and she's thankful she wasn't caught.
