Sunlight sneaked through the curtains, bringing the morning to life. Lila, groggy from a sleepless night, blinked in the dim light, puzzled by her surroundings.
There was a soft knock, barely audible, over the steady beat of her heart. The door opened slowly, revealing a young girl, no older than fourteen, holding a large tray. The delicious smell from the tray made Lila’s stomach rumble.
“Master didn’t know what you’d like,” the girl whispered, her gaze lowered, her voice quivering like leaves in the wind.
Lila sat up, rubbing her temples, and gestured for the girl to come in. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice hoarse from lack of use.
The girl gently placed the tray on the table next to Lila’s bed. On it was a veritable feast: fresh fruits, a stack of buttered toast, scrambled eggs
