Chapter 100

• I’m still reeling from his cold dismissal, the clipped tone of his voice echoing in my mind, but as I take in the tight lines etched around his mouth and the dark shadows under his eyes, my anger softens. He looks exhausted, burdened. With a quiet sigh, I nod and slip out, leaving him alone with his paperwork and silence. Hopefully, tonight we’ll have a moment to ourselves—just the two of us without the weight of duty hanging between us.
• The hallways are alive with movement. Humans and Beasts alike move with a sense of purpose that’s unfamiliar but welcome. As I make my way through the manor, I scan every open doorway until I spot Ruth. She’s loitering in her usual place—her kitchen.
• She’s holding a large sack of flour, arms straining under its weight, but she brightens instantly when she sees me. A wide grin splits her face as she sets the sack down with a soft thud.