I hesitated outside the King's office, my hand frozen midway to the heavy wooden door. Part of me wanted to flee again—to dash down the corridor and hide somewhere he wouldn't find me. But I knew better. There was nowhere in this castle I could escape him for long.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked.
Nothing. No response.
I waited, then knocked again, louder this time.
Still silence.
Had he changed his mind? Was this some sort of test? I shifted uncomfortably, my uniform still damp from the laundry fiasco.
"Your Majesty?" I called softly, pressing my ear against the door.
After several moments of silence, I tried the handle. It turned easily, the door swinging open to reveal an empty office. His massive desk was covered with papers, a half-empty glass of something amber sat forgotten on a side table, but of the King himself, there was no sign.
I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. "Hello?"
