Chapter 40

The sun streaming through the tall dormitory windows brought a fresh start to the new day, and for once, Q didn't feel like she was waking up to doom. The warmth on her face as she lay there reminded her of mornings back home, except without the rooster screeching at ungodly hours or the clatter of her parents fighting over breakfast scraps.

Here, things were quieter, cleaner, and—dare she admit it?—better.

When she arrived at the classroom, Lady Orita was already there, her sharp gaze scanning the room like a hawk. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, Q braced herself, waiting for some mention of the incident. But Lady Orita didn't bring it up, not even once.