The Pressure

The palace seemed quieter than usual, as if it were echoing my own thoughts and fears. I wandered the halls aimlessly, my heart heavy with worry for Liam. The days without him had been a blur of anxiety and unanswered questions. With each passing moment, the fear that he might have taken his own life gnawed at the edges of my mind.

The weight of guilt settled heavily on my shoulders. Maybe I had been too quick to leave, to go on my own journey of self-discovery. Perhaps I should have stayed, supported him through whatever he was going through. The thought that I might have been the cause of his pain was almost unbearable.

As I walked through the grand corridor, my steps faltered, and I leaned against a pillar for support. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I struggled to hold back my sobs. I felt overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions – fear, guilt, and an overwhelming sense of loss.

"Hey."

The soft voice cut through the chaos in my mind, and I turned to see Austin standi