One hundred and fourteen

Nneka's chamber echoed with the sound of her restless footsteps, her anger smoldering just beneath the surface. Anxious anticipation and frustration mingled within her as she impatiently awaited Daphne's arrival. At long last, the doors swung open, and Daphne entered, gracefully bowing before her queen. However, Nneka remained unmoved by the courteous gesture, wasting no time in getting to the heart of the matter.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting for you," Nneka demanded as she stepped forward into the room.

Daphne's expression conveyed a mixture of regret and apology as she lowered her head, aware of the queen's displeasure. She cleared her throat before offering an explanation.

"I apologize, Your Majesty," Daphne began. "I was waiting for the king, but he never showed up. Instead, I encountered a masked girl in the garden."

Nneka's brows furrowed in disbelief, her anger intensifying with each passing moment. The unforeseen turn of events only served to stoke the flames of fru