The evening air had turned sharp and cold, as if winter had finally wrapped the palace in its silent embrace. The sky outside the chamber’s balcony carried streaks of fading orange, swallowed slowly by the purple of night yet to come.

I had just finished my usual walk around the inner gardens — my legs still ached a little, but compared to the stiffness of a few weeks ago, I felt much stronger now. Each step, though sometimes heavy, felt like a small victory. My breathing was steadier, my body lighter.