THE dim light from the bedside lamp cast a soft glow over the room, flickering slightly as the air grew still. Orlanda sat quietly in her little space, her mind still replaying the cold conversation she had just had with Oswald. His words had been sharp, dismissive, yet strangely... intriguing.

After a while, she noticed something, he had dozed off. The almighty Oswald had dozed off.

His broad frame sat relaxed against the chair, his head tilted slightly to the side. His breathing was steady, calm, as if the weight of the world had finally loosened its grip on him, even if just for a moment.

Orlanda hesitated before getting...