Did You Sleep Well

Eulalia breathed a sigh of relief when it became quiet outside her door. Percival must have gone to Evadne's room. She was glad she had arranged for Evadne's room to be far away, or she might have heard sounds she didn't want to hear.

Without Percival, she should have been able to sleep peacefully, but Eulalia found that she couldn't sleep at all. Her body ached everywhere, and her head was uncomfortable. She got up and took two sleeping pills from the drawer before finally drifting off.

Percival woke up early, but when he went downstairs, he found that someone had risen even earlier. As he approached the dining room, he smelled the fragrance of porridge.

The kitchen had a frosted sliding door, and through it, he could see a hazy figure inside. A classic line suddenly came to his mind:

— Who has a soul touched by mountains and rivers, yet finds themselves bound by the daily grind, the kitchen’s warmth, and the complexities of love?

A warmth spread through his heart, soothing every par