Argument
Or perhaps Xina simply did not want to respond.
Chloe's eyes suddenly welled with tears as well. Amid Xina's sobs, she lifted a corner of the blanket and slipped in beside her sister as she had when they were little, hugging her from behind.
It had been a difficult day.
At the other end of the palace, Jahadorei stood before her own door, at a loss as she faced the empty room.
At first, she had headed straight for Boheng's room. Along the way, she repeatedly rehearsed what she would say to him next, imagining the scene—how she would stand before Teacher Boheng like a real adult and discuss Hesta and the forces behind her New Party.
Perhaps Teacher Boheng would marvel at her growth and thank her for the inspiration her news had given him. Or perhaps he would argue with her, only to be persuaded by her in the end—or persuade her instead.
These imaginings filled Jahadorei with a joy so intense it was almost frightening. She walked swiftly within her fantasy, until she reached the corridor where Boheng's room was and suddenly realized that showing up at Teacher Boheng's door late at night would probably trouble him.
So Jahadorei pressed both hands to her burning cheeks and hurried back to her own room. She just needed to bring Eunice along! Then she could openly come to Teacher Boheng to discuss serious matters!
But... it was already nearly half past nine. Eunice was not there?
Eunice's habits had always been regular. She hardly ever went out after dinner, so why had she disappeared today?
Jahadorei ran to the other end of the building, where the children's dormitories were. Several teachers there were close to Eunice; perhaps they would know something.
Yet when she knocked on the