No explanation. No promise of when he would return.
Valerie gave a small nod. She did not ask further as though she already knew that whatever she asked would not be met with the answer she needed.
She walked away toward the castle doors. At the foot of the steps, she paused, glancing back without truly expecting Demian to notice.
But Demian had already returned to the carriage.
The door shut. The driver raised his whip.
The carriage moved again slowly at first, then faster leaving the castle courtyard, leaving Valerie standing there alone.
Valerie watched the back of the carriage until it disappeared beyond the gates.
The afternoon wind brushed gently against her dress.
And for the first time, she realized something with painful clarity:
She no longer knew where Demian was going and Demian did not feel the need to tell her.
The carriage stopped not far from the camp.
