As the evening wore on and the palace began to quiet, I found myself restless. The events of the day had left me with a mix of emotions that I needed to sort through, and the confines of my chambers felt stifling. I decided a walk in the garden might help clear my mind.
"I need some fresh air," I told Anara, who was tidying up the room. "I'm going to take a walk in the garden."
"Of course, Queen Elara," she said, her tone filled with concern. "Shall I accompany you?"
"No, that's all right," I replied. "But could you please arrange for a couple of guards to join me? Just for safety."
"Certainly," she said, nodding. She left the room to fetch the guards, and I took a moment to wrap a shawl around my shoulders. The cool night air would be refreshing after the warmth of the palace.
A few minutes later, Anara returned with two guards—Orin and Lira, the same guards who had escorted me after the attack. They bowed respectfully as they approached.
