Queen Ylaya awoke that afternoon.
Arabella Vanderbilt had been by her bedside the entire time.
At the first sight of Arabella, Queen Ylaya's eyes carried an indescribable emotion, her eyes slightly red.
"You're awake."
Arabella softly said, with a calm face and a faint smile.
Queen Ylaya gently nodded, turning her head to gaze outside the window, where the sky had already darkened.
After a moment of silence, it seemed she relived the events in her mind, then deeply inhaled.
Arabella remained silent, quietly pouring her a glass of water, gently swirling it in her hand.
She felt melancholic, regretful, and even heartbroken, yet she couldn't say anything.
The hurt from a granddaughter she had cherished for over twenty years evoked complex feelings. Even though she was her closest kin, she couldn't question or judge her.
"Arabella."
Queen Ylaya suddenly spoke, slowly reaching for the hem of Arabella's clothes.
Arabella lowered her eyes to look at her.
"Hmm?"
