Chapter 78

Arya. I woke up groggily, my mind shrouded in a thick fog as if I were emerging from the depths of a dreamless slumber. Blinking away the haze, I found myself lying on a plush bed, the softness of the mattress contrasting sharply with the panic rising within me. Where was I? My heart pounded against my ribs. Pushing myself up, my muscles protesting against the movement, I stumbled to the edge of the bed, my limbs feeling foreign and heavy. I slowly walked to the window, opening the heavy curtains to survey my surroundings. With trembling hands, I reached out for support, grasping onto the window frame as if it were my lifeline. Pulling myself upright, I squinted against the bright sunlight streaming through the window, my eyes adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings. Outside, the world stretched out before me, a vast expanse of greenery and manicured gardens. But the beauty of the landscape offered little comfort as the realization dawned upon me—I was trapped. Panic clawed at my