Reina awoke slowly, her eyelids heavy as if weighed down by lead. Blinking against the soft, hazy light filtering through the curtains, she tried to orient herself. She was in a room, but it took a moment for her to recognize it. Her head throbbed painfully, each pulse sending waves of agony through her temples.
With a groan, Reina attempted to sit up, but the sharp pain in her head intensified, forcing her to fall back against the pillows. Her fingers grazed the side of her forehead, feeling a tender spot that made her wince. She couldn't remember what had happened, a fog of confusion clouding her thoughts.
"Xenia?" she called out, her voice barely above a whisper. The room remained silent, save for the soft ticking of a clock somewhere out of sight. Reina's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of her friend. The room was tastefully decorated, with rich tapestries hanging on the walls and a plush rug underfoot, but it offered no clues as to what had transpired.
