“Why did you leave me, Adrian?” she whispered aloud. “Why didn’t you take me with you?”
She hugged herself tightly. The room suddenly felt too cold. Too empty.
That night, Evelyn couldn’t sleep. The wind howled against the castle walls like ghosts calling out for justice. She clutched the letter under her pillow, as if it would protect her from her nightmares
The next morning, Damien appeared in the grand hall dressed like a man who had conquered the world.
His cloak was made of velvet, his boots polished until they shined. Everyone clapped as he walked in, smiling like a hero.
“He’s milking it,” Evelyn muttered under her breath.
“What was that, my dear?” Damien asked with a sharp smile as he approached her.
She forced a polite grin. “I said you look… victorious.”
He bowed dramati
