Chapter 34; A Lovely Wallflower

ARWYN

The best thing to do was to skip breakfast, knowing it would be just me and Thrystan at the First Ember table since everyone else was at practice.

My hands had been clammy all morning, despite the weather cooling off for winter. Occasionally, I found myself glancing over my shoulder, unable to shake the feeling that I was being watched. The anxiety gnawed at me, making it hard to concentrate on anything else.

For the next three days, I patrolled the lower grounds of the palace, exploring every corner and room, learning their uses and histories. Breakfast was always skipped, and I had Ingrid gather an array of sweets and pastries to keep me confined to my quarters until dinner. Dinner was safer; the dining hall was full, allowing me to blend into the crowd and avoid any unwanted attention from Thrystan.

On the last day before the Sun Festival, I finally stepped out into the warmth of the day. The sunlight felt like a gentle embrace, momentarily easing my worries. I noticed a loos