FAMILY

Unlike the previous sunny day, it was cloudy today when Ophelia pulled open the curtains. She sighed at the sight, predicting it would rain later in the day. Now it was more befitting the mood. She could feel the gloominess and the tension in the air in her room. It was quieter than the usual mornings, no servants or citizens were going about their daily lives.

The only ones left behind are the soldiers. She saw knights walking in teams beyond the gates from her window. They weren’t dressed in their usual attire either, instead, they wore colorful civilian clothing. She could spot the red shawls wrapped around their arms; some had them on their neck. No one would notice the resemblance in the crowd, since each wore it in their way.

Last night, she parted with Luke a bit after their conversation. He needed to rest and so did she. She tried to convince him to leave with the rest to Europa, but he refused and left her alone on the portico, giving her no space to negotiate. She didn’t se