The atmosphere in the royal garden was frigid.
Most of the guards who had ventured to Visteria with Cardan and Luciana were down on one of their knees while they kept their heads lowered and their fists pressed to their chests.
They did not dare to raise their head to look at Aleister who was standing at a little distance from them.
Rowan's body laid on the grass, cold and pale.
Aleister's silence caused the whispers and murmurs to gradually slow down till there was a lingering apprehension in the air.
The sound of approaching footsteps made everyone glance in the direction of the person who had come, in hopes of it being their saviour, Esme.
The footsteps gradually slowed down.
Duke Maverick stopped walking the moment he witnessed the sight.
Amidst all the happy days he spent in Defire, this matter had been there in his chest, hollowing his heart.