The palace quieted as the evening stretched into night, the servants' bustle and nobles' chatter gave way to a serene stillness. The grand hallways, once alive with candlelight and laughter, now seemed to slumber. Eleanor felt a restless energy coursing through her as she wandered the halls, her footsteps soft against the cool marble floors.
Her mind replayed the events of the evening—Lady Cressida's venomous words, the icy tension in the room, and Adrian's unexpected support. The memory of his voice, calm and firm as he subtly stood by her side, sent a ripple of warmth through her.
She paused at an open balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin. The stars were scattered across the sky like tiny diamonds, and the moon hung low, casting a silvery glow over the gardens below. She let out a soft sigh, the weight of the evening finally catching up with her.
"Couldn't sleep either?"
