Hannah’s POV
The Ride Into the Unknown
The silence inside the car felt heavy.
Too heavy.
Like the air itself had thickened around us.
I sat stiffly against the soft leather seat, my hands folded tightly in my lap.
Trying not to fidget.
Trying not to look nervous.
Trying not to panic.
But it wasn’t working.
Not even a little.
The car moved smoothly through the palace gates, the quiet hum of the engine the only sound filling the space.
Outside the window, the palace grounds passed slowly.
Tall trees.
Stone pathways.
Dim golden lanterns glowing softly in the darkness.
Everything looked calm.
Peaceful.
Beautiful.
But inside me
Nothing felt calm.
I swallowed hard.
My fingers twisted together unconsciously.
The fabric of my dress brushing lightly against my skin every time
