Chapter 48 - I Waited for You (2) (2/2)

Startled, Leah’s gaze rose to the sky, but unilaterally decided it was best to lean on Genin. In that form, they went straight to the carriage. She was grateful for the strong support Genin was giving her.

While riding in the carriage, Leah’s mind drifted, locked in her thoughts as her surroundings began to change. Soon, as they drew nearer to the palace, she began to dwell on problems, which she had pushed aside ‘till now.

An uncomfortable feeling settled down; the looming figure of the palace from the distance left an intangible feeling of dread inside her.

When the carriage stopped, the urge not to get off overwhelmed Leah. Eventually, she suppressed her desire to stay, and opened the door and got off the vehicle. Naturally, her feet touched the ground, but she continued with her strides—the pain that came with it was the least of her worries.

She looked up at the lavishly decorated entrance. The limestone walls glistened in the sun, the texture of soft chalk.

On both sides, sculptures of the former monarchs guarded the entrance; they had been made long ago by generations of artists, put on pedestals. The fountain that lay in front of the entrance, where the carriage had parked next to, majestically sprouted several clear streams from the centre in beautiful arches. The sun caught the droplets making them appear like diamonds raining into a pool of water. Perfectly manicured hedges, transformed into the shape of various animals neatly outlined the square of the entrance.

However, despite this all, the palace’s beauty didn’t give her much comfort.

“….”

An ominous feeling rose in Leah. Something was strange. When the carriage she was in stopped in front of the steep stairs, she had expected someone to come out and greet her.

But no one could be seen welcoming her arrival.

Leah hurriedly went inside.

The palace was eerily quiet. Anxiety bubbled in her as she paced through the quiet hallways, but no one appeared to be walking around.

Genin, who was behind her back following her, said in a wary voice. “Your Highness, there must be someone in the reception room.”

With that, the two headed to the reception room. Leah, who had been limping, walked towards the open door of the reception room and froze.

What made her pause in her step was the audience that greeted her. From the maids of the royal palace to the handyman who did the kitchen chores, all of them were gathered together in the reception room.

But it was not the sight of the servant which daunted Leah, rather, it was the man reclining in front of the servants, drinking tea alone. Perhaps it was the aura he emitted, or his vile personality at fault, the man in the middle was intimidating, making those around him quiver.

From where she stood, Leah could see the servants trembling with their heads tucked towards their chests as if they had committed a grave sin.

The man placed his arm on the back of the sofa lazily and opened his mouth.

“Oh, you came in early.”

His sparkling blue eyes narrowed at Leah.

“I waited for you, sister.”

It seemed that her arrival was not at all unheeded—Blain had been waiting for her.