Duties

After speaking with Kaleb in Atlas' study, I locked myself in my chambers, letting the days slip by in a haze of solitude. It wasn't the first time. I had rotted away like this before in my past life, but this time felt different. He made it different.

I couldn't stop thinking. Couldn't stop worrying. Was he okay? Was he eating properly? Was he looking after himself?

I didn't know how many days passed. Then one morning—

I woke to the sound of someone clattering a tray onto the bedside table. Not again. I kept my eyes shut, clinging to the fading dream—a blur of textbooks, fluorescent lights, and the stale coffee smell of my college library. It had been a while since I dreamt about my past life. I didn't miss it. But I couldn't deny the nostalgia.

"Good morning, my lady!" A round-faced maid flung open the curtains, sunlight stabbing my eyes. "Or should I say good afternoon?"

I squinted. "Roselle?"