Chapter 256
Nima
It's the end of the year vacation and somehow, Daphne dragged me all the way out to her territory.
The eastern part of the kingdom feels like another world. The air here is colder, thicker and the architecture itself feels alive—carved obsidian and dark steel that hums faintly when you walk past it. Home of the Panthers. Home of the Nyxclaw.
The only comfort is that Poppy is here too. She came with Isaac, who's apparently getting serious about her. Engagement serious.
I was worried at first—worried she'd be mistreated, her being a Longear and all—but the opposite happened. His family welcomed her warmly. You can see how much he loves her, how proud he is to show her off. It makes my chest ache, but not in a bad way.
I'm happy for her.
The servant leading me down the long corridor stops before an enormous set of carved doors. I can feel the hum of power behind them.
"The Duchess will see you now," she says, bowing.
Right. The Duchess.
