Yumi flopped onto the giant castle sofa like she owned the place.
Eliott had just brought her a tray of snacks — soft bread, sweet fruit, and a warm drink that smelled faintly floral.
She hugged the pillow behind her and let her whole body sink into the cushions.
"Ahhhh… this is comfy," she sighed.
Then she frowned.
"…Why is it comfy and bad at the same time?"
Eliott, who was pouring her tea, blinked. "Bad? What's bad?"
Yumi lifted her hand dramatically.
"The vibe, Eliott. The vibe is suspicious."
Eliott nearly dropped the teapot. "H-How can a sofa be suspicious?!"
"It just is!" Yumi whispered fiercely.
"This castle is dangerous. Every time I relax, something weird happens. It's like the universe doesn't want me to rest."
Eliott opened his mouth to argue — but then remembered the knocking at her window this morning, the random wind slaps, and her dramatic sneezing.
"…Actually, you might have a point."
Yumi took the mug in both hands, sighing again.
"It's comfy… but I feel like I should run."
"Run?" Eliott echoed.
"Yes!" she said.
"Like, what if relaxing here is a trap? What if I let my guard down, and the wind comes back? Or the ghost knocks again? Or worse—"
She froze.
Eliott leaned closer. "Worse?"
Yumi whispered, wide-eyed:
"—the prince might appear."
Eliott choked on his own air. "My Lord, please! He's not a ghost!"
"Close enough," Yumi muttered.
She blew on her tea, then sipped it carefully.
"…But seriously," she whispered to herself,
"why does this place feel warm and eerie at the same time?"
Eliott sat beside her. "What do you mean?"
Yumi thought for a moment.
"It's like…"
She hugged the pillow tighter.
"It's comfortable. Safe. Like someone is watching over me."
Eliott smiled softly. "That doesn't sound bad."
"But—" she raised a finger,
"It also feels like someone is watching me for… reasons."
Eliott froze. "Reasons?"
"Yes. Reasons. Mysterious ones."
She squinted suspiciously at every corner of the room.
"Like hidden plots. Ancient curses. Dramatic backstories—"
Eliott stopped her. "My Lord… you read too many novels."
Yumi gasped. "Blasphemy! There's no such thing as too many novels!"
Eliott laughed quietly. "Fine, fine. But maybe you're just overthinking."
Yumi flopped back on the cushions again.
"Maybe… but I can't help it. Every time it feels comfy, something inside me whispers 'don't relax yet.'"
Eliott looked puzzled. "Do you… remember something?"
Yumi froze.
Her fingers tightened on the pillow.
"…No. I don't think so."
But deep inside her chest, that same strange flutter echoed again.
Recognition.
Longing.
Fear.
Warmth.
All mixed into something she didn't understand.
Something connected to the window knocks.
The wind.
The scent.
And maybe—
someone's voice she couldn't quite remember.
She shook her head quickly.
"Nope. No heavy thoughts. Not today."
Eliott chuckled. "Good. Because the prince told me to keep you calm."
Yumi sat straight up.
"WHAT?! Why?! What does that white-haired grandpa want now?!"
Eliott: "My Lord, Prince Ren is literally twenty."
Yumi: "Don't care. He gives ancient energy."
Eliott burst out laughing.
Yumi smirked… but her chest still felt warm and mysterious in a way she couldn't name.