Chapter 25 Twenty-four

• As dusk settled over the kingdom, the two sat beside the well, the golden glow of the setting sun casting elongated shadows across the cobblestone path. Elanthia wrung out a towel dampened with water from the well and gently wiped the scratches on Avelyn's palms.
• "I heard them talking about you since yesterday," Elanthia said, her voice steady yet filled with concern. "They claimed you had nothing to do, but I told them you were with me, working on our assigned tasks."
• Avelyn groaned at her words, rolling her eyes dramatically. "I've been bullied all my life. This is nothing new! But seeing you get hurt? Ha! The audacity!" she grumbled, trying to sound tough. She smacked her own fist into her palm but immediately winced as a sharp pain shot through her.