It was completely different from the busy courtyard in the front. The back garden was completely quiet, peaceful, and empty of guests. The air was cool and smelled sweetly of blooming night-jasmine. Small, glowing lanterns were placed along the stone walking paths, casting a soft, romantic light over the green bushes.
Camilla let out a long sigh of relief. She relaxed her shoulders.
She began to walk slowly down the winding stone path, enjoying the beautiful silence.
Suddenly, her ears picked up a very faint, very high-pitched sound.
Meow.
Camilla stopped walking. She tilted her head, listening carefully.
Meeooow.
It was a very sad, very pitiful meowing sound. It came from somewhere deep inside the garden shadows.
Camilla's heart instantly softened.
Her weakness kicked in which was her love for cats. Her fat orange tabby cat, Winston, was her best friend and only family in the entire world. She missed him terribly every single day she was trapped in this novel.
