28

Dastan rode back from the palace, utterly confused. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Despite his reluctance to leave, Silvia had insisted on resting, prompting Dastan to agree to depart with his guards. As he rode on the back of his horse, lost in his own thoughts, he was oblivious to the cold snow falling around him.

Suddenly, a thought pierced through the chaos in his mind. "Where is Isa? I haven't seen him since I woke up," Dastan voiced his query to the guards trailing behind him. They halted their horses, exchanging bewildered glances as if the question caught them off guard.

Dastan's expression darkened. "Why are you looking at each other like that? I asked a simple question," he demanded, irritation creeping into his tone, causing the guards to shrink back in fear. One of them, regaining his composure, spoke up.