Walk in the garden...

Alannah gestured toward a side door. "Would you... would you walk with me? Just for a moment?"

Adrian followed Alannah through the side door of the throne room, leaving the heavy atmosphere behind as they stepped into the palace garden. The transition from the somber halls to the moonlit tranquility of the outdoors was almost jarring. 

The air here was cool and fragrant, carrying the subtle scent of blooming night jasmine. Soft pools of light spilled over cobblestone paths from glowing lanterns hung on iron posts. 

A fountain stood at the center of the garden, its gentle trickling the only sound breaking the silence.

"It's beautiful," Adrian remarked, his voice low as his gaze traveled over the scene.