[A/N: I added Milestones chapter. There you can see the milestones for bonus chapters!]
The audience itself ended without incident, yet something lingered—an aftertaste, or perhaps residual tension. It must have shown on my face.
"Ambassador Marie, are you all right?"
The Duke asked in a tone that was more amused than genuinely concerned.
"I'm just… so tired…"
I had done nothing at all, yet the tension had been so intense that the moment it ended, exhaustion crashed over me. I trudged along behind the Duke like a wilted plant. Today I only wanted to return to the embassy and sleep. Rudolf, thoughtfully, had left the entire day free of appointments. The last time I had been this nervous was probably the executive interview for my first job back in the old world.
As I walked with heavy steps, a voice called from behind.
"Ambassador Marie, wait."
