It was very cold at night, and normally she would be shivering. But the sheer anxiety from what happened earlier kept her warm.
It haunted her. It gave her enough trauma that every sound around her made her flinch. She looked like she was dragged through hell and back, when the guard saw the once proud advisor approach the gates in such a state, they looked at each other before letting her in.
Benedict wasn't at home... He was still on his way back, teleporting too many times at once was harmful to one's health. But even more so for a child. Therefore they planned a window of rest before they could use the circle again.
The Duke wasn't at home either. He was dealing with issues related to the imminent war. The Duchess was alone... As the hooded man's plan required...
Her palms were clammy, and her breaths came in shallow gasps. She couldn't shake the image of the hooded man's or the burning sensation of the rune still seared into her skin.
