Meanwhile, back at the castle, the atmosphere changed almost overnight.
Valerie awoke with a strange feeling not because of the nausea that still came and went, but because of the silence in her chamber. It felt… too orderly. The curtains had been drawn open early, soft morning light spilling in, and the bitter scent of herbal tea she was used to had been replaced by the comforting aroma of warm soup.
When she slowly sat up in bed, two servants were already waiting standing straighter, their expressions noticeably different from before.
"Good morning, Lady Valerie," they said nearly in unison, bowing deeper than she had ever experienced.
Lady.
The word still sounded unfamiliar to her ears.
That day and every day that followed the castle seemed to revolve around her.
