By the time the three of them returned to the palace, the air within the carriage had long turned stiff.
No one spoke.
Sylteena sat as she was, unbothered, occasionally taking a bite from the fruits she carried, as though the events of the forest had been nothing more than a passing errand.
Vanya leaned back with a quiet scoff, his eyes shifting between the two others before the carriage finally came to a halt.
Once they arrived, he wasted no time, slipping away toward his chambers without a word.
Philip exhaled softly before turning in another direction, obligated to return to his region, while Darian remained behind only a moment longer, his gaze lingering on Sylteena as she walked off.
Not to her chambers.
But to the library.
Like nothing had happened.
• • •
Later that afternoon, the palace buzzed with its usual rhythm.
Servants moved about their usual activities. Guards stood on duty.
Yet no one came asking for her.
