Aidan waits in the royal hallway, pacing around. He stops at a point and leans on the wall, slowly sitting down on the floor with his hands in his head.
Two servants appear at the entrance, they pause and their eyes widen in shock at the sight before them. They bow deeply and turn around, leaving. Aidan ignores them and doesn't care about others seeing him in this state. He bangs his head on the wall as he hears Griselda's guttural shout, followed by a terrifying, prolonged silence. He stands and grips the vase beside him for support, his breath trapped in his chest.
The waiting in the cold hallway strips him of every kingly pretense as his vulnerable state is laid bare. He wants nothing but to relieve Griselda's pain and see her safe. He paces again, rubbing his tired eyes as time passes.
The disturbing words of Gwyneria and Marcus truth echoes in his mind. He stops himself from punching the stone wall only by thinking of Griselda.
