Kiara sat down, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and dread. Ariel's fragile state haunted her, and the memories of what had transpired left an unshakable heaviness in her chest.
She knew she had to see Ariel, despite the girl's trauma. Ariel had been bleeding, and though her injuries were tended to, the emotional scars were deeper. Kiara sighed, her mother's words echoing in her mind: "Be careful what you wish for." Ariel had been so eager to fulfill what she called her last switch on her bucket list, but the cost was far greater than Kiara could have imagined.
With a deep breath, she stood, signaling Maidservant Tae and the other amicus who trailed behind her. Together, they made their way down the dimly lit corridors of the palace until they reached Ariel's quarters.
