Luke returned to the main building, his steps feeling a little heavier than before. Once he reached the guest room, he knocked gently on the door and called out.
"It's just me."
After a brief pause, he heard Ilyrana's voice from inside, giving her quiet approval for him to enter. Stepping in, Luke saw her sitting by the window, gazing out at the fields within the main courtyard of the building, her usual calm demeanour masking whatever thoughts occupied her mind.
He walked over to the bed and slumped down, his body sinking into the mattress. Ilyrana shifted her gaze from the window to him, her expression unreadable as she asked.
"Did things not go as planned?"
With a sigh, Luke explained the situation.
"Yeah, you could say that. There's no one headed to Admiral anytime soon. We're stuck here until someone comes along, whenever that is."
He leaned back, staring up at the ceiling.
