Chapter 74: His Den
"Queen Ariana, I will take you to His Majesty’s chambers," Ariana heard Leah say. She halted in her tracks, lips parting in shock as she noticed Leah half-running toward her, her face pale.
Ariana’s expression shifted to one of concern as Leah stopped in front of her. Sweat had formed on her forehead.
Ariana quickly signed,
"Lady Leah, are you okay?"
Leah nodded, though her heart was pounding.
"Yes, I am, my Queen. I will take you to His Majesty’s chambers," she repeated, trying to steady her breath.
Ariana smiled gently.
She turned her head slightly to glance back at the place they had just left, then followed Leah. Leah’s heart slowly began to calm. Heaven knew what would have happened if Ariana had gone any deeper—she sighed, not wanting to imagine it.
Ariana followed quietly as they walked toward another stairway in a different part of the palace. Her lips parted slightly in surprise. She hadn’t known this part existed—it seemed like the back side of the palace. They moved through a hallway without paintings, unlike the ones downstairs or near their room. These were just plain walls. The large, closed windows still allowed light to spill in, illuminating the path ahead.
Leah stopped suddenly.
"Queen Ariana... I don’t know if this is..." Worry laced her voice.