The ride back to the palace was so quiet and awkward, despite each of them riding on different horses.
Although Robert arrived in the night, it was too late for them to travel that same day, so they spent the night in the cottage and returned early in the morning.
June rode with Robert, who led the journey back, with a few subordinates riding closely in front of them, and Emilia followed, with Lucas and Thomas riding separately in the back.
The silence between them all stretched thin and brittle, and Robert inched to speak with Emilia, but June came closer and tapped his shoulder gently.
"Why did you take so long?" she grumbled, although not to him.
"Thankfully you made it in time, or we would have had to spend the whole night alone with the King and…"
June turned slightly with a displeased look at Thomas, then continued.
"That weirdo."
"What happened?" Robert asked curiously.
