As Sarika stepped onto the top floor, the atmosphere changed immediately. The noise from the lower hall faded.
Up here, silence reigned.
The upper floor was quieter. Far quieter.
The corridor was wide and lined with thick carpets dyed red. Her boots, which had echoed so loudly below, now made almost no sound at all.
Tall windows allowed morning light to spill inside, illuminating polished walls decorated with paintings.
At the far end of the corridor stood a pair of towering double doors with a royal crest carved deeply into the wood.
Two guards stood on either side of the entrance.
Sarika slowed her pace. As she approached, the guards' eyes shifted toward her.
They instantly recognised her.
Neither of them moved to block her path. Instead, one guard adjusted his stance slightly to make a way for her.
"Lady Sarika Klover, His Majesty is expecting you."
She gave a small nod.
One of them knocked on the door.
They waited for a while before hearing the reply.
"Enter."
