Edith stepped out of her chambers into the late evening air. She had remained confined to her bed the entire day, ever since Gideon had flatly refused to take her to Viktor. Never in her life had she felt so completely helpless.
Lost in her despair, she didn't even realize where her feet were taking her until they brought her to a halt in front of a painfully familiar place, her mother's manor.
The guards standing watch outside immediately lowered their gazes in a gesture of respect when they saw her approach.
'Does Mom feel happy now, staying hidden behind those closed doors?' Edith thought, a wave of bitterness rising within her. Unable to look at the manor any longer, she turned around sharply to leave, only to collide directly with her father, who was just returning from a walk in the gardens.
"Dad! Sorry," Edith quickly apologized, lowering her head to avoid his piercing gaze.
