CHAPTER 84 A Dress for Battle

　　Anastasia's pov

　　The castle corridor is lined with almost ten royal guards standing impeccably, their gazes all forward, awaiting orders from King Ethan.

　　The memory that not long ago, I would have searched among the line of royal guards for Ryan's face resurfaces in my mind, bringing with it a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I try to conceal the growing anger from this lie Ethan told me, feeling it stir in my chest like a restless beast. I want to forgive his manipulative actions for a calmer future by the king's side. But the internal battle persists, a clash between reason and heart.

　　I take a deep breath and smooth my dress, just a customary habit when I am about to meet Ethan. The act of smoothing the fabric calms me, a way to prepare myself for what is to come. I give a light knock on Ethan's office door, my heart pounding in my chest, and anxiety beginning to surface.