We walked down the long, sunlit halls in suffocating silence, the sharp clack of my boots against the marble floor echoing off the stone arches.
"Your Grace..." Jake started carefully, matching my heavy stride. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. King Demetrius has a lot on his plate with state matters—"
"It's fine, Jake," I cut in, keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead, doing my absolute best to swallow the lump forming in my throat. "You can actually take off for the day. I won't be leaving the keep."
Jake shifted uncomfortably behind me. "Your Grace, my orders are to—"
"Please, Jake," I interrupted again, stopping in my tracks and turning to look at him with a weary sigh. "I'll get you if I decide to go anywhere. I just... I really want to be alone right now."
He went quiet for a
