chapter 13: «I’m an angel...»

The next day, a sunny morning in Elie's room. The sun's rays filtered gently through the curtains, illuminating the room with a golden light. Elsa, freshly out of her bath and wrapped in a towel, entered the room with her wet hair sparkling in the morning light.

"Oh! You're awake!" she exclaimed, a smile on her lips.

Elie, still lying in bed, was overwhelmed by the image he had just seen. He didn't know what to say; his thoughts were racing in his mind.

"From the look on your face, I think you're momentarily believing that I'm an angel, aren't you?" Elsa continued mischievously.

Elie changed his expression and asked, a bit bewildered, "But how long have you been here?"

"Sorry for coming into your room unannounced, but you were still asleep and I didn't want to disturb you. I arrived this morning. I didn't want to be late for breakfast again, so I came in as early as possible. I've already taken my bath; I hope I didn't wake you?" she explained.

"Not at all! Your things already arrived yesterday, so you can change in that room. I've already prepared a place for you," Elie replied, trying to wipe the surprise off his face.

"Thank you so much! But do you need help going down?" Elsa asked with a friendly smile.

"Pardon?" Elie retorted, a bit surprised by her offer.

"Wait, I'll help you!" she exclaimed while taking the wheelchair and pushing it towards him. "There you go; you can go down slowly like this."

Elie slowly descended and sat on the chair with a sigh: "Really, you!"

"Where do you want to go now?" Elsa asked as she continued to push him.

"To take my bath! And could you dry your hair a bit first?" he added as he noticed a drop of water falling on him.

"Oh, okay! I'm sorry! We've arrived! Need help washing up?" she offered.

"No," Elie replied while closing the door behind him.

Elsa smiled slightly: "Ha! Ha! Always taking jokes seriously!"

After a few moments, Elie finally emerged from the bathroom.

"I'm done changing! Oh, are you already here?" Elsa exclaimed upon seeing him.

Elie stared at her intensely while thinking: "I can't believe she's still so beautiful every time she changes clothes." Suddenly distracted by his thoughts, he didn't notice that Elsa was approaching with a towel to dry her still-wet hair.

"But what is...?" he wondered in surprise.

"I'm just drying your hair. You'll catch cold if you keep leaving it like that!" she explained with a concerned look.

"But I can do it myself!" Elie protested.

"I know! But it would be better if you let me help a little, you know? I'm not expecting anything from us but we can be friends, can't we?" Elsa said with disarming sincerity.

Elie remained silent for a moment.

"What? You don't want to?" she insisted with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"I don't really like people who talk too much," he finally admitted.

Elsa smiled mischievously: "In that case, I'm going to change your mind! And for that, I will win your heart first! I'm done! What do you think of my work?"

Elie retorted, "That I could have done it myself."

She burst out laughing: "What a sense of humor! But I like people like you!"

At that moment, Mr. Gilbert, their respected butler, knocked on the door and entered without waiting: "Knock! Knock! Sir, I'm coming in! It's time for you... Oh, madam!?"

Elsa brightened up: "Hello Mr. Gilbert! The gentleman has already taken his bath and dried his hair himself, and finally, I would like to help him get changed but..."

Elie quickly interrupted her: "Shut up!" while sighing.

Elsa feigned a pout: "Got it! You didn't even say thank you even though I've been helping you since this morning."

Mr. Gilbert looked at the scene with surprise: "What outfit would you like to wear today, young sir?"

Elie calmly replied, "As usual. I don't want to lose my mind over that!"

Mr. Gilbert respectfully nodded: "Very well, sir! May I?" And he pushed Elie in his wheelchair.

Elsa then mimicked his voice with amusement: "I don't want to lose my mind over that!"

Elie retorted with an amused smile: "I can hear you!"

Elsa burst out laughing while saying, "But I didn't say anything!"