Conditions

Just then, two knocks sounded at the door and cut off his conversation with Pandora. The door opened immediately after. Catrina stepped in with a tray of food in her hands.

She still wore the familiar silver mask, but last night's sleeping gown had been replaced by neat black attire, and her hair had been carefully brushed. If Lathel had not seen with his own eyes the blanket spread out in the corridor last night, he would have found it hard to believe that the Duchess standing before him had once lain on the stone floor just to stay close to his room.

"Good morning."

Pandora immediately whispered, "The one who almost ate you is here."

Lathel deliberately kept his expression unchanged.

Catrina set the tray on the small table and sat beside the bed. She did not rush to pick up the food. She looked at Lathel's face first, and only when she confirmed that his eyes were no longer as red as they had been last night did she quietly exhale.