SHADOW

I felt like I woke up from a deep slumber to a strange and unfamiliar feeling— emptiness, disconnected. Then, the first thing I saw was the royal wallpaper on the ceiling, but it was dark, just the yellow light from the lampshade illuminating the room.

So, I slept in my room at the palace. I had no idea for how long, but I felt so damn exhausted.

Then there was this hollowness and heaviness and tightness deep in my chest. It somewhat felt like a long-term despair— so painful, as ...