Chapter 179: CLXXI: leaving the palace?

She scoffed as she turned away to hide her tears from the children. she clenched her fist and opened the door of the study. Without looking back or speaking to anyone, she walked out of the study.

"Are you okay?" She heard Selene's voice from behind her as she hurried down the stone steps to go back to her chamber.

"Do I look okay? I do not, right?" She replied to Selene's question with question as she bowed her head to mop her tears.

When she was done, she raised her head and met Selene's gaze with a small smile. "They survived it and the darkness is gone. They are back and they will get to live a normal life.

"That is all I wanted for them. If getting too close to them could result in the futility of my efforts, I might have to step away from them no matter how painful it will be."