Julian stood on the balcony of his room, peering down at the serene pond below. The stillness of the water was broken only by the occasional ripple caused by fish swimming just beneath the surface. Bored and restless, Julian picked up a handful of small rocks by the neaby plant pot and began tossing them into the pond, watching the splashes and the ensuing ripples with mild amusement.
Thwack. Another stone hit the water, sending concentric circles outward.
Thwack.
Thwack.
Julian sighed, his own loneliness pressing down on his young shoulders. He turned to one of the servants who stood discreetly nearby, ever watchful.
"When will mother return? What is taking her so long?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of impatience. "I’m bored of waiting."
The servant who was an older woman wit
