Ryan walked like a zombie through the palace corridors. His back was slumped, his face a bit gloomy.
The interaction with Eleanor had brightened his mood significantly. To know that someone so powerful, someone who he had always considered an enemy, was someone who was actually his greatest of allies—it was comforting.
But that didn't completely fix Ryan's mood.
He felt very wan.
The whole thing with his mother made him feel incredibly complicated. It was a mess. And Ryan was not familiar with such deep, unknown emotions. He was not used to being so torn.
He saw a maid walking with a tray full of wine.
Ryan had the urge to pick a cup and drink, but he restrained himself. If he touched alcohol, Seraphina would kill him.
"Hey, miss," he called out to the maid.
She paused. "Yes, your highness."
"Did you see Kaelith or Lady Seraphina? You work on the same block as Kaelith, right?"
"Ah, are you talking about the shy girl with freckles?"
"Yeah, definitely that one."
