I awoke to the mouthwatering aroma of food drifting from downstairs, stirring me from a surprisingly deep sleep. My body felt slightly heavy, but for the first time in days, I had managed to find some measure of rest. The events of the previous day flooded back in waves, but the memory of Magnus’s comforting presence lingered, grounding me as I gathered the strength to start the day.
Stretching, I looked around, half-expecting Magnus to be by my side. When I found the bed empty, I got up and freshened up quickly, brushing my hair back and tying it up in a loose ponytail. I made my way downstairs, the faint sounds of clinking dishes drawing me toward the kitchen.
There, at the dining table, I saw Magnus, fully dressed, his eyes brightening when he saw me approach. He flashed a soft smile, setting down his coffee cup as I approached.
"Good morning," he greeted me warmly. "I didn’t want to disturb you, so I let you sleep in a little longer."
I returned his smile, grateful for the small gesture. “Thank you… I really needed it.”
He nodded, gesturing toward the spread on the table. “Go ahead and eat. You’ve barely touched a proper meal since yesterday.”
As I sat down, Magnus introduced me to three new maids standing nearby. Each of them greeted me with a polite nod, their expressions respectful yet welcoming.
“These are the maids I’ve brought in to help,” Magnus explained. “They’ll make sure everything in the house is taken care of so you don’t have to worry about anything.”