Pushing open the grand doors of the hall, I stepped out into the empty reception area. My eyes scanned the room, searching for the familiar figure of my mother.
And then I saw her.
She was sitting alone on one of the plush velvet chairs with her figure slumped with exhaustion.
Her head was resting against the back of the chair with her eyes closed, but even in sleep I could see her brow had that same look when she's worried.
Seeing her like this, so tired, so anxious, after waiting who knows how long for me... it made all the frustration, all the shame of the day melt away.
And I think… I truly feel at peace when I see her.
A genuine smile spread across my face, the first one I think I'd felt all day.
Forget the Royal Blade, forget the Inheritor's Association, forget everything else.
Right now, all that mattered was my mother.
"Mom!" I called out, my voice filled with a childish excitement I hadn't realized I still possessed.
