The breakfast rejection made Alice quite nervous as she brought her lunch into the room. It felt as if she was participating in a cooking contest, and her nervousness was like presenting food to a panel of judges.

Her steps were heavy, even though all she carried was a tray with a plate of white rice topped with spicy shrimp, a small bowl of clear spinach soup, a small plate of mango slices, and a glass of warm water.

From the doorway of the room, Alice's steps became even heavier. She hesitated whether to wake Alden up or wait for him to wake naturally.

"I'm not sleeping. Just closing my...