**Secret Garden—LUDEN**
Ember trudged back to the Valkarian household, her mind occupied by thoughts she should really have no business thinking about.
She had come to Vaskor for one thing—to convince and escort the Council all the way to Thalor for the Velmoria Wide Meeting. And her end goal was simple: prove to the Thalor court that she was more than capable of holding her ground not just because she was the Queen's daughter, but also due to her position as Princess Royal.
Thinking of the confusion of a man that Khaos BlueBlood was, unfortunately wouldn't help her in any way. Nor would thinking about the doubts his words had stirred in her mind.
At the gates of the towering Valkarian household, Ansel and Nada were both waiting for her there.
"Your highness," they greeted collectively while Ember raised her hand to shush whatever scoldings they might possibly spew next. She was really in no mood to hear anything about how she had run off without warning.
