She whispered the word so softly that only the wind heard it. "They can go anywhere."
Behind her, one of the younger maids quietly entered the chamber carrying a tray of fresh tea.
She glanced toward the balcony before quickly looking away. Everyone in the palace had heard the news: the western balcony had been reopened just for Lady Lin.
The maid carefully placed the tray on the table. Before leaving, she couldn't stop herself from stealing another glance at Lin Wan.
She looked lonely. Not like someone favored by the King, and certainly not like someone living inside the grandest palace in the Upper Realm. She just looked entirely alone. The young maid quietly lowered her head and withdrew.
Not long afterward, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.
"Move aside!"
"Quickly!"
The Shadow Guards frowned as an elderly man carrying a large wooden medicine chest hurried toward the chamber. It was the royal physician, and he was breathing heavily.
