On a quiet and lonely night, Claire sat on the edge of the inn's bed, her eyes staring straight out the open window, into the star-studded night sky.
The desert wind blew in through the open window of the inn, bringing with it the faint scent of spices, and a little bit of sand dust from outside on the street where the children were playing back in the day.
With low ceilings and warm carpeted stone floors, the Middle Eastern style inn kept the room temperature warm enough from the cold wind of the night. Low wooden furniture and copper lamps added to the exotic atmosphere of her current place—far from the luxury and comfort she was used to in the duke's residence.
The feeling hit, heavy but familiar. Claire gripped the thick cotton bed sheet tightly, trying to calm her mind that was plagued by various doubts.
'Why did I run away from that punishment?' she thought bitterly.
