Aesa's pale eyes wandered as they crossed into the heart of the kingdom. She saw that all around her homes were etched into colossal trees with branches that twisted like nature's own architecture, while others were carved into the earth itself, their doorways glowing with warm lights.
Elves walked the paths with easy grace. Their voices sounded soft, their gestures serene, and their every movement seeming to flow in rhythm with the living forest around them.
For a moment, a strange warmth bloomed in Aesa's chest.
The peace of this place stirred something quiet inside her. Like it was giving her a sense of safety and belonging she hadn't felt in ages.
But as her gaze passed over the sheer number of Elves moving about and the crowds pressing in on every side, her lips thinned.
The warmth soured, replaced by unease. There were too many eyes and too many people here. She could never feel comfortable surrounded by this much life.
