"Your Majesty, what are you doing here at this hour?" Nina's voice echoed softly through the corridor, halting the Alpha King in his tracks.
"Miss Nina?" Phillipe turned, surprised to find her awake. His brows furrowed. "What are you doing out of bed so late?"
"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty," Nina replied politely, dipping her head. "I only asked because… this passage leads nowhere. There's no exit ahead, as far as I know."
Phillipe's expression hardened slightly. "Then allow me to ask, why are you awake at this hour?"
Nina folded her hands in front of her, choosing her words carefully. "I couldn't sleep, Your Majesty. Everything that happened in the palace today has been... unsettling. I was especially disturbed by the fact that your own daughter tried to harm you. It's all been quite troubling, and my mind wouldn't rest. Then, the Crown Prince was quite troubled. So, my heart and mind weren't at peace."
