The moment Ethan and Charlotte disappeared down the corridor, their footsteps echoed faintly through the first floor. Then, the bedroom fell into silence as Commander Duan and his wife exchanged a helpless glance.
Mrs. Duan sat quietly by her husband's side. With trembling fingers, she adjusted his blanket and smoothed his hair. Her glossy eyes were rimmed with redness.
As for Commander Duan, his eyelids drooped further as an onslaught of exhaustion washed over him. Yet, though he was physically weak now, his unyielding aura remained.
The bedroom was brightly lit from the morning sunlight streaming through the open windows, albeit slightly. Outside, the soldiers were still guarding the yard.
Standing in a corner, Ashrik and Isaac were perfectly silent and invisible. They did not move, not intending to sneak out yet.
Considering that the Duan couple would speak of something important in private due to the twins' departure, they waited.
