"I'm grateful, Master Jin. Truly. That you came looking for me, that you want to..."
She took a shaky breath.
"But I can't leave the manor. Not yet."
I frowned. "Why not?"
Her jaw tightened, her gaze still fixed on her hands like they held answers she couldn't speak aloud.
"I have responsibilities," she said quietly. "Things I need to take care of first. I can't just leave."
I opened my mouth to press further, to ask what could possibly be more important than getting out of here, but she spoke again before I could.
"I'm grateful that you cared enough to visit me, Master Jin. Really. And I'm so happy for you." Her voice brightened artificially, like she was forcing warmth into it. "That you recovered. That you're healthy now. That things are better."
I sighed internally.
So it was a wasted trip.
The thought sat bitter in my chest.
"Are you actually okay here?" I asked, keeping my voice careful, neutral. "Working for Duke Glimor?"
