Night has settled like a thick velvet cloak over the palace, the hallways hushed save for the occasional flicker of torchlight casting long, twisting shadows along the stone walls. I walk through the dimly lit corridors, my footsteps barely audible, yet each step echoes in my head louder than necessary. My mind still simmers with the remnants of today's ordeal, the endless stream of nobles, their incessant questions, their unbearable proximity.
[You survived. Barely. But still.]
I roll my eyes, not bothering to respond. It's been hours since the salon incident, yet the system's amusement remains disturbingly intact. It's unnerving how much enjoyment it gets from my suffering.
[Admit it. You enjoyed it too. Especially the part where you convinced them you stuff dead animals for fun.]
A smirk tugs at my lips despite my exhaustion. Alright, that part was satisfying. Watching their horrified expressions had almost made the entire ordeal worth it. Almost.
