KARDEN. My heart thundered as I took slow steps towards the grand hall. In a sense, I knew my father's visit would not end well. It never did. And I supposed it wouldn't start now. "Are you okay?" Miriam asked as she took slow steps beside me. "You seem to be in deep thoughts." "You seem to care about me now?" I chuckled slowly, trying to push down my fear. "Are you liking our game of pretense and getting so much into it?" “Ugh!" she groaned, facepalming her face. "Remind me why I ever thought it was possible to have a civil conversation with you." She added with a scoff. "You mean I'm boring?" I feigned being hurt. "That is not true. I am quite capable of having a civil conversation with everyone. It is just that, with you, it is quite impossible. But that would only mean one thing,