Aeliana sat in the carriage, staring blankly out the window as the familiar landscape of the elf kingdom passed by in a blur. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—confusion, guilt, uncertainty. Every time she tried to focus on something, it was like her thoughts slipped through her fingers, refusing to settle. The storm still raged in her heart, its remnants lingering like an unshakable chill.
"Are you okay?" Kael asked from across the carriage, his voice cutting through the silence that had consumed them for the last few minutes. He hadn't spoken much since they'd left the chaotic scene behind. He seemed to understand the weight Aeliana was carrying, but there was a deep concern in his eyes—one that spoke volumes more than words could.