[Silthara Palace — The Other Hallway — Later]
The palace had quieted but not gently. Silence moved through the corridor like a slow breath, brushing against carved walls and fading into distant arches where footsteps no longer echoed.
Side by side, Lady Arinaya and Raevahn walked, not hurried, not aimless. Just… present. Raevahn glanced at her, subtly and carefully.
"You seem troubled, my lady."
Arinaya exhaled, soft and measured as she murmured faintly, though her voice held no amusement but more honesty.
"I am worried about Malika."
Raevahn did not interrupt; he never did when her voice carried weight like this.
"Since the loss…" she continued, her gaze drifting ahead but not truly seeing the corridor, "…the Malika has changed. He has not broken; he has hardened."
Her fingers curled lightly against her sleeve.
"And in that...he has drawn away from everyone, every serpent...even the Malik."
