I stood in the parking lot, surrounded by quiet faces. Everyone had arrived; the servants had finished loading the bags. Now we waited for the king's arrival, for the departure signal.

My thoughts swirled like leaves in a hesitant wind. Leaving... Did it bring joy or sorrow? I couldn't pin down the feeling. Instead, an empty space seemed to echo inside me, a soft ache pulsing through my heart.

The stillness stretched, broken only by distant murmurs and luggage straps creaking. My eyes ...