Aldric stood in the doorway, perfectly still, his gaze locked on Ailin.
Amelia froze. Her hands flew up instinctively to cover herself as she stammered.
"W–What… what are you doing here?"
He didn't answer at first. His expression was unreadable, eyes flicking over her once before he tossed a folded towel at her chest.
Amelia caught it with both hands, startled.
His voice was calm, too calm.
"Is this not my house? I can enter and leave whenever I want."
Her cheeks burned. "T-Thank you…"
He didn't look at her.
"Don't thank me. Thank Irelia. She told me to bring it."
"O-Okay…" she whispered, tightening her grip on the towel.
He turned and walked away without another word.
Amelia quickly shut the door and leaned her forehead against it.
"…Why is he suddenly cold?" she muttered.
Shaking off the thought, she hurried into the bathroom before anything else could happen. Warm water cascaded over her, but it did nothing to calm the questions swirling in her head.
He was normal yesterday… then cold… then normal again…
What is wrong with him?
After her shower, she stepped out, wrapped the towel around herself, and slipped into a simple nightwear. She crouched by her luggage and began neatly arranging her clothes into the wardrobe, folding, placing, organizing… anything to keep her mind busy.
When she finally finished, she sat on the bed with a long exhale. The room felt too quiet, almost echoing.
She grabbed her small jotter, hearing Emily's teasing voice in her memory. "Before your 23rd birthday, at least try to live a little, Amelia!"
A small smile tugged at her lips.
She clicked her pen and began to write,
Things she wanted to experience.Things she had never tried.Things she dreamed of but never dared to say out loud.
Her handwriting slowed… her eyelids grew heavy…
Before she reached the last line, the jotter slipped from her fingers.
Amelia curled under the blanket and drifted into sleep, unaware that someone paused outside her door for a moment…then silently walked away.
The next morning, when Amelia opened her eyes, her whole body felt heavy.
She rubbed her face, still half-asleep, when a burst of noise drifted in from outside her room.
Frowning, she slipped out of bed and opened the door.
Downstairs, Irelia stood with her hands on her hips, bossing the guards around like a tiny commander.
"Put that there! No—no—quiet! Don't make noise and wake my mom up!"
The guards froze immediately… then slowly turned toward Amelia's room.
Irelia spun around and her face flushed bright red.
"G–Good morning, Mom!" she squeaked, bowing a little. "I… I hope I didn't wake you."
Amelia shook her head gently.
"No, I was already up."
Relief washed over Irelia's face and she smiled, soft and sweet.
"Okay! Mom, go change and come down for breakfast, okay?"
"Alright." Amelia closed the door quietly.
She took a quick shower, letting the warm water chase away the last of her sleepiness. Wrapped in a towel, she walked over to her wardrobe.
Beep.
Her phone screen lit up.
Amelia picked it up and checked the message.
It was from Emily.
Have you made a move on Aldric yet?
Amelia groaned under her breath.
"Emily…"
She was about to reply when another notification appeared.
A message from Zoe's doctor.
Amelia's heart dropped.
Miss Amelia, please come to the hospital as soon as possible. It's regarding Miss Zoe.
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
Zoe?
Did something happen?
Panic crawled up her spine. She hurried to dress and rushed downstairs.
Irelia was already at the dining table, legs swinging as she waited. When she spotted Amelia, she waved shyly.
Amelia forced a smile and sat beside her.
Breakfast was unusually quiet. Irelia didn't chatter or cling the way she normally did. She just stirred her food, sneaking nervous glances at Amelia as if afraid she'd upset her.
Ailin noticed, but her thoughts were too tangled with worry for Zoe to ask.
After they finished, Amelia excused herself and returned to her room.
She grabbed a small bag, tossed in her essentials, and pulled on a face cap to hide the tension on her face. She paused, inhaling deeply, trying to steady her heartbeat.
Then she headed downstairs.
Irelia paused at the foot of the stairs when she saw Amelia coming down, face cap pulled low, a small crossbody bag slung over her shoulder.
"Mom… are you going out?" she asked softly.
Amelia adjusted her cap. "Yes. I won't be long."
Irelia's eyes brightened. "Can I come with you?"
"No" Amelia said gently but firm. "I'm just stepping out for a bit. I'll be back soon."
Irelia pouted but nodded. "Okay… Mom, um do you want to see Dad first?"
Amelia hesitated. "Where's Aldric?"
"In his study" Irelia replied. "He's with Liam."
Amelia froze.
"…Liam is here?"
"Yes" Irelia said innocently. "He came earlier."
Amelia inhaled slowly, trying to steady the sudden tightness in her chest.
"Alright. Go tell your dad I'm heading out. I'll wait"
But Irelia didn't move.
Because the study door clicked open.
Aldric stepped out first, calm, composed, a faint crease between his brows as if he'd been deep in thought. The moment he lifted his head, his gaze collided with Amelia's.
He stopped.
His hand tightened slightly around the doorknob. His expression didn't reveal anything, but the air shifted.
Before anyone could speak, a soft voice drifted out from behind him.
"Aldric… wait."
A woman stepped out next.
And she didn't simply walk.
She wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her cheek lightly against his back.
Her voice was soft, pleading intimate.
"Don't go, Aldric…"
Irelia's eyes widened.
Amelia's fingers curled instinctively around the strap of her bag.
Aldric didn't turn towards her. He didn't move.He didn't answer her.
He just looked at Amelia.
And the entire house fell silent.