"Please leave," Lucas continued, turning his face away. "I want to rest." He lay down on the bed.
Silence.
The Baroness stared at his back for a long time, as if she wanted to say something more. But in the end, she stood up.
"…Very well," she said softly. "Get some rest."
Her footsteps faded away. The door closed with a gentle sound.
Lucas slowly opened his eyes.
The door closed slowly.
The Baroness took two steps away — then stopped.
Silvara was still standing in the corridor, her back straight, hands neatly folded in front of her. She looked as though she was about to leave, yet clearly hesitated.
The Baroness turned.
Without saying a word, she took Silvara's hand and gently pulled her a short distance away from the bedroom door.
"Silvara," she said softly. "Why… why did you choose Lucian?"
Silvara blinked.
The Baroness continued, her voice not angry— rather, it sounded confused.
"I… it's not that I hate my own child," she said slowly. "But he… and you…"
