Chapter 5: The Gentle Awakening

The sunlight streaming through his eyelids awakened Luke.

He opened his eyes to find himself not in the familiar dormitory but in a luxurious room.

It all came rushing back—yesterday, he was hired as Elin’s private tutor.

Still grappling with the surreal realization, he finished his shower and emerged.

Heading to the kitchen, he brought breakfast and knocked on Elin’s door.

There was no response.

Was she still asleep?

He quietly opened the door and entered.

Soft, rhythmic breathing filled the room.

The source was, unsurprisingly, Elin.

Luke sat on a chair and observed the sleeping girl.

Her small frame was almost swallowed by the blanket, with an old, frayed rabbit doll—one ear nearly torn off—clutched tightly in her arms.

Time passed, but there was no sign of Elin waking.

This wasn’t her usual sleeping schedule.

Luke glanced at an empty teacup on the desk.

The chamomile tea he brewed again last night seemed to have worked wonders.

Though her insomnia had improved, it was time for her to wake.

“Lady Elin,” he called softly.

He considered gently shaking her awake but hesitated, recalling how she had flinched violently the last time he touched her shoulder.

“It’s morning, Lady Elin,” he repeated, like a cuckoo clock announcing the hour.

After about five tries, Elin stirred, her body shifting as she slowly opened her eyes.

“Did you sleep well, Lady Elin?”

“Hmm…?”

She seemed groggy, as though she hadn’t slept that soundly in a long time.

She gazed blankly at Luke.

“Are you awake now? It’s time for breakfast.”

“…Breakfast?”

Her eyes finally landed on the cart in Luke’s hand.

“Ah.”

Startled, she flinched like a rabbit, her tousled hair springing up comically.

“Breakfast is soup. It’s specially prepared for nutrition, so please eat plenty.”

“I can’t eat much in the morning.”

“You didn’t eat much for dinner last night either.”

“I eat even less… in the morning.”

“That’s fine. I didn’t plan to overwhelm you with too much food this early.”

Luke revealed the pot he had brought. It wasn’t nearly as full as yesterday’s.

Elin sighed in relief.

…Was last night’s meal really that much?

If so, why didn’t she say anything?

Luke dismissed her repeated complaints about being full as already forgotten.

“Did anyone come looking for me?”

Elin suddenly asked, glancing at the old clock on the wall.

“Who would visit this early?”

“…No one.”

Elin shook her head a beat too late.

She clearly expected someone.

Who? Surely not the Duke.

Luke handed her a spoon.

“Can you manage the spoon yourself?”

“…”

For a moment, Elin’s expression turned incredulous.

Then, as if remembering yesterday’s incident, she dropped her gaze, the tips of her ears slightly red.

“…Slurp.”

Instead of answering, she took a spoonful of soup, as if to prove her capability.

Was it really that embarrassing to mishandle a knife?

“Well done,” Luke praised, clapping his hands.

From now on, he resolved to compliment her for even the smallest things.

Her self-esteem, battered and buried deep underground, needed gentle nurturing.

Luke was about to feel relief that she could at least eat on her own when—

“…Bleh.”

Elin stuck her tongue out.

Surely she wasn’t teasing him.

“Did you burn your tongue?”

Elin nodded, tongue still out.

“The soup is freshly made and very hot. Are you alright?”

“No. It’s hot.”

Her monotone voice suggested nothing was wrong, but her swollen tongue betrayed her.

Luke quickly handed her some cold water.

Elin drank deeply, then stuck her tongue out again.

“Haah…”

Luke couldn’t suppress a sigh.

“Lady Elin, can you promise me one thing?”

“…Huh?”

“Please speak up right away if something is wrong.”

“…Alright.”

Her response didn’t inspire much confidence.

Luke held out his pinky, linking it with hers.

“If you break this promise, I’ll take your finger.”

“…!”

Her hair sprang up, and her eyes filled with alarm.

Was she really more afraid of losing a finger than being hit?

“I promise!”

Elin nodded earnestly, her tongue still slightly out.