The first light of dawn filtered through the castle's ancient stone walls, casting long, eerie shadows in the misty corridors. Emily woke early, her mind still racing from the recent events. She dressed quietly and left her chambers, drawn to the solitude of the castle's corridors. The silence was almost haunting, the only sounds being her soft footsteps and the occasional creak of the floorboards.
As she walked, her thoughts drifted to the battles fought and the lives lost. The weight of leadership pressed heavily on her shoulders, and she sought solace in the stillness of the morning. The castle, a formidable fortress in times of war, now seemed like a quiet sanctuary, offering a brief respite from the relentless demands of ruling a kingdom.