Chapter 180 I Missed You

• Narine
• Once the bustle of arrival had eased and the palace hallways dimmed into that soft hush that comes when duties settle into silence, I found myself unable to rest. My mind was still in motion, tracing lists, revisiting details, and tightening invisible knots of responsibility. Even after ensuring that the chambers prepared for the kings and their lunas had been arranged to the last embroidered pillow, I couldn’t stop myself from fussing further.
• I had trays of light refreshments sent to each room, honeyed almonds, fruits glistening with dew, and delicate pastries that had just cooled from the ovens. Nothing heavy, only enough to ease their journey-weariness without disturbing the coming feast.