The city felt strange without orders.
No loud voices on screens.
No rules shouted from towers.
No guards telling people where to stand.
Just people.
And people did not know what to do at first.
The morning after Evelyn stepped down, the streets stayed quiet. Shops opened late. Buses moved slowly. Everyone watched everyone else, waiting for someone to say what came next.
No one did.
Aria walked through the streets with Kael.
They did not hide.
They did not lead.
They just walked.
A man sweeping his shop paused and nodded at them. A woman carrying bread smiled softly. A group of kids ran past, laughing too loud, like they were testing the air.
“It feels empty,” Kael said.
“Yes,” Aria replied. “Like a room after shouting.”
Kael nodded. “Silence can be scary.”
Aria looked aroun
