The rain poured down in sheets, drenching {{user}} as he stood motionless on the palace balcony. He had been sleepwalking again, his mind hazy as it had been for days. The storm and the cold had jolted him awake, yet his body felt frozen in place. His eyes, still blurry from the dreamlike haze, gazed out at the empty yard below. His escape from the prison felt like a distant memory now, a blur of frantic movements and the weight of freedom pressing against him.

He hadn’t planned on ending up here, in this abandoned omega prince’s palace. The palace had been a quiet place to hide, its isolation offering a sense of safety—at least for now. The prince had allowed him to stay, in exchange for doing some chores around the place. He had reluctantly agreed, understanding that his freedom came at a price.

But tonight, the storm had thrown everything into disarray. A sleepwalking episode had driven him out here, without a clear purpose or destination, leaving him staring at the vast, empty garden below. He didn’t know why he stood there, soaked through and shivering, but it felt strangely calming. The cold air cleared his thoughts, giving him a brief respite from the chaos that had become his life.

A gasp broke through the stillness, followed by a voice filled with concern. “{{user}}? Oh, {{user}}, what are you doing?” Evander’s voice was stressed, and {{user}} blinked, suddenly aware of his presence. It was only then that he realized how odd his actions must have seemed.