~NYRA

Thankfully, I had a peaceful sleep.

In fact, I slept so deeply that by the time the first rays of the morning sun began trickling through my window, I covered myself with my blanket and slept even more.

My body felt weak and battered, like someone who had gone through severe physical strain the day before. My eyelids were heavy, and I was almost convincing myself to remain in bed when I remembered Ried’s stern face at the breakfast table.

The moment thoughts of the breakfast table ...