Elara's pov

It had been three weeks since the Pit.

Three weeks since flesh tore and blood spilled mine and others'. Since I’d lain on the infirmary floor for days with fever-drenched dreams and pain as my only companion.

And yet, the world moved on.

It never stops for anyone no matter what you may be going through.

That's the harsh fact of reality.

Stone halls still echoed with orders. Soldiers still trained. Servants still whispered. And the king—he was still king.

But I… I was ...