---- She just wanted to hold his hand like earlier, to tell him she was here.

But it seems he didnt needed his warmth anymore.

He was so close yet too far now Finally, when she managed to push her way to the front, one of the guards stationed at the tents entrance held up a hand, his expression unyielding.

No one is allowed inside, he stated firmly.

But hes" Orders from above, the guard interrupted.

Defeated, Alexia stepped back, her chest heaving with frustration.

She glanced around, unsure where to go.

The bonfires scattered throughout the camp offered a semblance of warmth, and she made her way to one, sitting down heavily on the ground The heat of the flames licked at her skin, but it did little to thaw the chill that had settled in her heart.

She could feel the weight of several pairs of eyes on ---- Chapter 475 her.

Women whispered behind cupped hands, their glances lingering on her torn and muddied clothes.

Alexia clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

She wasnt oblivious to their judgment, but she had no energy left to care.

She was starving, dirty and in dire need of a bed.

She wanted to ask that man Scout for some warm clothes and food.

But she refrained.

He looked too busy, running from one tent to another.

Doing his best to save Damien.

She didnt wanted to disturb him.

A soft touch startled her.

She turned to sce a kind- faced woman draping a cloth around her shoulders.

The fabric was warm, and the gesture even warmer.

You look like you need this, the woman said gently, her smile soothing.

Alexia nodded, her voice barely audible.

Thank you.

The woman settled beside her, her hands working deftly to adjust the cloth so it covered Alexia ---- properly.

You're new here, aren't you? the woman asked, her tone conversational Yes, Alexia replied hesitantly.noveldrama

What is this place? The woman's smile widened, pride glinting in her eyes.

This is the base of the survivors, she explained.

The man you saw earlier? That was the king Alexias breath caught.

King? As in King Adrian? The woman nodded.

He's the reason we're still alive.

He built this sanctuary, uniting and bringing all the survivors here.

He gave us hope when we thought it was all gone.

Alexias mind raced.

But didnt King Adrian abandon the throne.

The woman nodded ---- He did.

But he never abandoned his people.

The tile..

the power...

the castle meant nothing to him.

All that mattered were his people and came down from his throne to personally come and save each one of us.

Alexias eyes widen as she stares at the man..

at Adrian crouching down near a girl who just stumbled over.

Picking her up, he ties her shoe laces to smile up at her.

Alexias heart slips a beat.

That man...

that man was their King? The most powerful man she has ever heard about? Tt seems he was as worried for Damien as she was because he has been pacing the medical tent for the Jast half an hour.

Damien had warned her against coming here, against meeting Scout.

But why? Everything shed seen so far suggested safety, unity.

She glanced back toward the medical tent, her chest tightening with worry.

Whatever secrets Damien had