Lina’s POV The halls smelled faintly of polish and cold air, the kind that seemed to settle over power like a second skin. Guards walked past silently, their eyes flicking toward me, unreadable. Some lingered a second too long, then looked away. The air felt heavier than usual, as though my presence alone had shifted the currents inside the house. I passed the main sitting room. The usual hum of voices was gone. In its place was a tense hush, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. I wasn’t supposed to notice, but I was. The servants skirted past me with lowered eyes. The staff who once moved freely now paused, careful not to draw attention. “Donna,” a low voice called. I turned. A male servant lingered in the doorway, eyes sharp. His hands trembled slightly as he held a tray. I raised an eyebrow. “You look like you’re counting the seconds until something breaks,” I said lightly. He swallowed. “We… we just… notice things.” I smirked. “I’m full of surprises.” I kept
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