Chapter 39: A Voice That Wasn’t Hers
Days had passed. Still, Zavren hadn’t returned. Ariana sat silently in her chair by the window, staring up at the moonlight. It was bright tonight—strangely bright.
The way she sat, someone would think she was trying to count the countless stars. She didn’t even know how long she’d been there. At least it was a starry night—and that alone was a good sign.
She tried to stay calm, reminding herself that her husband was a strong man. But even with that truth, the ache in her chest only deepened.
Why was she worried?
She’d tried to tell herself it was her duty as queen to be concerned for her husband. But even that seemed like the most unconvincing thing she’d ever said to herself—even though she was trying to believe it.
Wasn’t she supposed to be relieved that he wasn’t here?
Wasn’t that what she told herself after failing to convince herself otherwise?
Yet... her heart ached. Anxious thoughts refused to leave her mind.
She hugged her arms to her body as the thin nightwear did little to shield her from the cold air hitting her skin. Her hair flew gently, her golden eyes glowing. If someone were to see her now, they might have mistaken her beauty for that of the goddess of the night.
Over the past few days, Ariana had learned so much—about the palace, the people in it, and the quiet struggles that often went unnoticed. One of the most important cases she’d handled was the one involving the maid who had nearly been expelled.
Ariana had brought the matter to a close with fairness and compassion. But she didn’t stop there. Realizing how demanding palace life was, she introduced a shift system among the maids—allowing them to rotate roles. This way, some could have time off to visit their families and loved ones, even if only for two days.