Third POVCassiel stepped out of his study, the hallway quiet except for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock near the wall. He made his way down the corridor, his steps purposeful but unhurried.He pushed open the door to Julian’s room, not expecting much—maybe Julian asleep, or resting in silence.Instead, he was met with laughter.Julian’s laughter.It was light, full, and alive. It caught Cassiel off guard for a moment, enough to stop him just past the doorway. Julian was on the bed, propped up on pillows, grinning ear to ear. Miss Maria was seated at his side, a small book in hand, laughing too, though she stopped the instant her eyes caught Cassiel.She sprang to her feet immediately, clutching the book to her chest, her eyes cast down.“I’m so sorry, sir,” she said in a soft, nervous voice. “I didn’t mean to be— I was just—”Cassiel held up a hand as he moved into the room.“You don’t have to be on eggshells around me, Miss Maria,” he
Last Updated : 2025-06-06 Read more