Chapter 161: More Than Meets The Eye

{Aria}

Princess Aria's carriage rumbled to a stop in front of the palace gates.

The journey from Rhaya had been long and arduous, but nothing could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her upon her return. The palace, once a beacon of strength and stability, almost felt like it was sagging, in a way.

Black banners hung from every window. The knights standing by, spears in their hands, somehow looked even more stoic than normal, and, although there were no crowds here, the air almost felt harder to breathe and denser. 

Aria took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She thought back to the lessons she'd learned during her time in Rhaya. The techniques for maintaining composure in the face of adversity, the art of reading people's intentions beneath their words.

She'd need all of that now.

"Your Highness," Lord Caelum whispered, "are you ready to disembark?"