The farewell lunch had been peaceful, surprisingly so.
Laughter, light teasing, and even Lannete's stoic expression softened for a heartbeat as the princess piled honey cakes onto her plate.
But now, hours later, the shop felt quieter, the absence of Cassandra's sharp wit and the princess's bubbly energy leaving behind a lingering hollowness.
I'd spent the afternoon buried in work, reviewing inventory with Emory (who, to his credit, only stuttered twice) and sketching out plans for the "Student Survival Kits." By the time the sun began dipping toward the horizon, my brain was numb from numbers and logistics.
Now, onto the next meeting.
The library was quiet at this hour and day, and even the usual small studious crowd was nowhere to be seen as dusk approached.
My boots clicked against the polished floor as I wove through the aisles, searching for a certain silver-haired menace.
Ah, there you are.
