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A knock cut through the calm air, soft but it didn’t slip past Tiberias’ attentive nature. He lifted his head from the papers, looking at the heavy door to his chambers, voice low and gravelly from lack of use as he called out, “Come in.”

Tiberias’ eyes were focused as the door creaked open, his steel expression softening as his eyes landed on Siybilla. She entered quietly, letting the door close behind her. She looked tired, intricate gowns replaced with soft, simple material better used for the late sleepy hour of the night. Her face was devoid of the makeup she usually donned, bright eyes warm but tired - worry and stress lingering underneath them. Tiberias couldn’t blame her, not for a moment. She held the world on her shoulders - her brother sick and dying, knowing the kingdom would be hers to handle once he passed,stuck with a husband that thought of her more of a trophy than a wife.

The room was still for a moment, neither of them speaking. The air didn’t need to be filled with mindless conversation between them. Though, eventually, Tiberias leaned back in his chair and spoke. “Unable to sleep, Princess?”

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