Mara's PovI forced a smile, though my lips felt like they were made of dry parchment. I reached up and wiped the lingering dampness from my cheeks with the back of my hand, a quick, jerky motion. "I’m fine, Margaret," I said, my voice sounding thin and hollow even to my own ears. "Something just... something flew into my eye.""Are you sure, ma’am? You look very pale. Perhaps I should brew you some ginger tea? It helps with the shock.""No," I snapped, then immediately softened my tone. "No, thank you. I just need to lie down. It’s been a very long night."I didn't wait for her to respond. I pushed back from the table, the legs of the chair screeching against the tile. I walked out of the kitchen and climbed the stairs, each step feeling like I was lifting a mountain. When I reached my room, I didn't turn on the lights. I walked inside, closed the door, and turned the lock with a definitive *click*.The darkness swallowed me, and for the first time in hours, I let the mask fall. I d
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