Katie's POVThe days blurred into one another, duties tethering me to the stone walls of the castle like chains. Meetings, reports, blessings, judgments—always with my chin high, my tone steady, my mask flawless. My people needed their Lady whole, unwavering.But when the torches dimmed and the corridors hushed, the mask grew heavy, suffocating. My soul clawed at the silence, desperate for air.This morning, it was Tori who noticed.She came into our chambers without knocking, as only she and Rori dared to. The fire hadn’t been stoked yet, and the cold gnawed at my bones even as Kath’s furs swaddled me.“Katiee,” she said carefully, her dark hair braided back, cheeks flushed from the climb. But her eyes—always sharp, always seeing—pierced deeper than I wanted.I forced my lips into the practiced curve of composure. “Tori. What news?”She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she walked to the window, pushed the shutters wider, letting in a flood of white daylight. Snow glittered endlessl
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-10-26 อ่านเพิ่มเติม