When I woke up, I was in a room I immediately recognized as one of the palace chambers. My body felt heavy, as if weighed down by exhaustion and the remnants of whatever power had overtaken me. The first sounds I heard were the hushed voices of the healers.
"It will be fine. His condition is stable," one of them said softly. "He just needs time to rest."
The voice faded as the healer left the room, and I turned my head slightly, my vision blurry. I could make out a figure standing nearby, their gaze fixed on me.
"Father? Are you alright?"
It was Ciara. Her voice trembled with worry, and the sight of her anxious face stirred something in me. I managed to muster a weak smile. "I'm fine, my dear," I said, though my voice sounded far weaker than I intended.
As my vision cleared further, I noticed the other person standing next to her. Of course, it had to be him—Veryon. His smirk was as infuriating as ever, and just the sight of him made my head ache.
