They left the teleportation hall and began walking through the palace together.
As they moved, officials bowed before quickly returning to their work. Messengers hurried through the corridors carrying reports, while palace guards exchanged shifts with practiced efficiency.
The atmosphere remained busy, but unlike the High Elven Kingdom after the attack, there was no tension, only the ordinary rhythm of governance.
Atheline quietly observed everything.
"...It feels strange."
Lilith glanced toward him.
"What does?"
"Yesterday..."
He looked through one of the palace windows toward the bustling capital beyond.
"It felt as though everything had stopped, but now..."
He watched merchants opening their shops in the distance while citizens continued their daily routines.
"...life simply continued."
She understood exactly what he meant.
"Most of our people only know that an attack occurred. They don't know the details, and until we tell them otherwise... the kingdom continues."
