In the early morning, the airship continued sailing steadily among the clouds. Dawn streamed through the portholes, casting a soft glow across the corridor. Ang stood before Quintina's cabin door and, as usual, raised his hand to knock.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
Unlike usual, the door opened quickly. Quintina wore a loose silk nightgown that revealed her fair collarbone and a slender stretch of calf. Her hair hung loosely around her shoulders, and she seemed to have only just woken up. She leaned lazily against the doorframe, her half-lidded eyes still heavy with sleep.
Ang gave her a once-over and said with a chuckle, "You were here. I thought you'd gone out for some air!"
Quintina rolled her eyes irritably. "Then why did you knock?"
"It was just habit. It's best if I can confirm you're here. If you weren't, I'd go out and look for you!" Ang spread his hands with an easy smile.
But the moment he finished speaking, there was a loud bang! Quintina slammed the cabin door shut without the slightest mercy.
Ang froze for a moment, then helplessly patted the door. "Hey, what's that for? I wanted to tell you we'll reach Tan'anster this afternoon!"
There was a brief silence inside before Quintina's slightly weary voice came through. "I didn't rest well last night. I want to catch up on sleep now. Tell me when we get there!"
"Huh? You're not having breakfast or lunch?" Ang raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not eating. Don't disturb my rest!" Her tone was firm and left no room for refusal.
Ang shrugged and sighed helplessly. "Fine. If you get hungry, come find me. I'll be in my cabin!"
With that, he turned and left, intending to tell Pri and the others that the airship was about to arrive.
Encounter on