Kaliantha walked through the castle corridors with a quiet procession of maids behind her.
Her emerald gown trailed softly across the floor, its fitted silhouette emphasizing the elegance of every step. Platinum-pink hair had been drawn into a beautiful crown braid, and her golden crown rested precisely above it.
She appeared, as always, beautiful beyond reach.
No trace of the night's event remained on her face as she made her way toward a particular guest chamber. Her expression was perfectly still, her gaze focused ahead, and the maids behind her followed in dutiful silence.
At last, she arrived.
The two royal guards standing before the doors immediately straightened.
"Your Majesty."
Kaliantha acknowledged them with a restrained nod.
The guards opened the doors at once.
"Remain outside," she said.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Kaliantha entered alone.
The doors shut quietly behind her.
Only then did her composed expression shift by the smallest degree.
Her eyes found Ulrich.
