The bed in the western side-room was far more comfortable than the floor pallet in the main chamber, yet Arthur tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep no matter what.

The same was true for Evelyn in the main chamber. The early winter wind blew gently across the window lattice

Seeing Arthur’s demeanor and expression—looking completely nonchalant as if nothing were amiss—Evelyn smiled out of sheer exasperation rather than anger: "Those letters were meticulously stored away by the General inside a golden-silk Phoebe nanmu box, placed right in the de

Arthur straightened abruptly. “It’s clean now. You can use it.”

Evelyn snapped back to her senses and quickly looked away.

“Thank you for your trouble, General. Then… I won’t stand on ceremony.”

She rose, signaling for him to move aside.

Arthur pulled the wooden valve and