A week had passed, and my wounds had healed entirely.

I could return to my activities; I returned to the woods and hills behind the mansion. Once again, though, I avoided Elijah.

Ever since the shooting incident, Elijah had barely been at the mansion. He spent most of his time at the castle. I didn't know what he was doing there, but he was probably tracking the guards to solve the problem.

I came downstairs, intending to go to the kitchen, but I bumped into Kat in the hallway. She seemed overwhelmed with the bedsheets she was carrying.

"Queen Delilah," she greeted me cheerfully.

"Where did you come from, Kat?"...