The days that followed the crowning ceremony swept Elena into a whirlwind of activities, leaving her feeling like a mere puppet being pulled from one obligation to the next. Every moment of her day was meticulously scheduled, leaving little room for personal reflection or respite.
Kai, too, seemed consumed by the demands of his new role, his time increasingly monopolized by matters of state and diplomacy. Despite their proximity, Elena felt a growing chasm between them, a sense of disconnect that gnawed at her heart.
As the weight of her responsibilities pressed down upon her, Elena found herself sinking deeper into a suffocating despair. Night after night, she was plagued by nightmares of Peter, his menacing presence haunting her dreams and leaving her waking in a cold sweat.
During th
