Already taken

The narrow tunnel — enveloped by towering dark green leaves — proved to be much trickier to navigate than Adela had anticipated. All her readings about Kolhis in books couldn't prepare her for the reality of this empire. She felt both captivated by the otherworldly nature surrounding her and appalled by the stifling humidity.

It was like staying in a hot tub for too long, her lungs were strained, and the fatigue from her sleepless night was building up.

The Lady's trusted dagger — one of the many de Lanark family heirlooms — was always at hand. But it remained unused with Egon around her.

His large gloved hand pushed aside the branches that obstructed their path, always ensuring Adela could pass through without hindrance, never looking back but always waiting until she caught up with him. They were following behind Olga who seemed determined to choose the most challenging route for a foreigner of the empire.