My bags were all packed. I was ready to head out, to catch a ride to the train station, and then get on the train back home.

The morning sun illuminated the room I had shared with Brook as I made sure I hadn’t missed anything. Everything was there. I had no reason to stay.

“The maid I spoke to said that the delivery man leaves the front gate of the palace in about fifteen minutes,” Brook said as she came in and sat down on the edge of the bed. “So you ...