Freya assured me that I could explore the castle freely. To help, she even sketched a simple map so I wouldn’t get lost if I decided to take a stroll. Fortunately, after spending an entire day wandering those seemingly endless corridors, I’d managed to familiarize myself with a few key areas. At least now, I could reliably locate the dining room where I’d shared breakfast with Hadrian and the patio where fresh air offered a welcome reprieve. Most importantly, I could return to my chamber without losing my way—a small but significant victory.
Despite the castle’s grandeur, it didn’t take long for the novelty to wear thin. Within hours, I found myself stifled by the monotony. Everyone else seemed to have a purpose, some task to occupy their time, while I was left adrift. Idleness had always
