As Damien left, the palace corridor seemed to breathe again, as if even the walls had been holding their breath during our confrontation. I turned away from where he had disappeared, trying to gather myself, but my heart pounded like a drum in my chest.
I wasn’t ready for what came next.
“Emily.”
I froze at the familiar voice calling my name from behind. I turned slowly — and there she was.
Valentina.
My brows instinctively furrowed, the memory of past cruelties flashing through my mind. But then I remembered — some of the good things she'd done. Not everything she did was out of malice. In a strange way, she'd been kinder than the others, and sometimes even protective when she could have joined in mocking me.
I softened my expression.
“Good evening,” I greeted, offering her a small
