Chapter 532 - Departure

"Sir Ludwig, follow me" he heard as soon as he came out of the elevator shaft. The platform sealed itself behind him with the soft fold of living wood, and the air in the root-hall smelled faintly of wet bark. The person was the same who had attacked Ludwig earlier when he was with the boy, her expressions were slightly embarrassed as she had realized she attacked a guest of the Princess, but pride and honor kept her from apologizing. Her jaw was set a touch too hard, color resting high on her cheeks, eyes refusing to linger on his for more than a heartbeat. The bow at her back sat perfectly strung, fletchings combed straight, every buckle and strap tightened as if posture itself could erase the earlier mistake.