Don't let him see

On the way back to the estate, Catrina barely said a word.

The carriage rolled steadily along the stone-paved road, occasionally trembling slightly whenever the wheels passed over a joint. Afternoon light filtered through the curtains and fell across the silver mask covering half her face, while Lathel sat opposite her, still reading the magic book he had bought that morning.

Yet every now and then, he looked up at her.

Catrina noticed.

She always noticed when he looked at her. This time, she deliberately pretended not to know.

However, after Lathel looked over several more times, she finally could not help asking,

"What are you looking at?"

Lathel paused, then put down the book and used sign language.

Are you feeling unwell?

The fingers resting on Catrina's dress tightened slightly.

"Me?"

She gave a faint smile.

"I'm perfectly fine."