The cold morning wind swept through the empty courtyard, leaving a layer of frost over the flowers, grass, and leaves—the first sign of winter.
When Ayano got up, she put on an extra layer. A restless night had left her feeling unwell all over.
She had just picked up the broom standing nearby when she saw someone hurry in.
It was Hizashi.
Hizashi paused when he saw Ayano, then said, "I'm here to see Shin."
Coming in such a hurry so early in the morning, he must have had something important to discuss.
Ayano said, "Lord Shin isn't up yet. He went to bed rather late last night."
Hizashi said, "Go wake him. I have something important to tell him."
They exchanged no pleasantries. After Hiashi's death, when the clan members had all begun distancing themselves from Ayano, Hizashi had still visited her. Yet now, their relationship seemed even more distant.
Hizashi silently watched Ayano's retreating figure as she entered the living room, then followed her inside.
Ayano came to Shin's bedroom and knocked softly on the door.
"Lord Shin, Hizashi is here."
A moment later, a voice came from within. "Come in."
Hizashi stood in the living room, watching Ayano enter Shin's bedroom.
This bedroom was different from when Hiashi had lived here. There was incense in the room, and a faint, elegant fragrance lingered in the air.
Shin disliked sleeping on tatami, so he had replaced it with a large bed. There was little else in the room besides a wardrobe and a bookshelf.
Ayano had discovered that he truly liked reading.
Though the bed was large, Shin was the only one lying in it. In this world, he was not used to having someone sleep beside him.
"What does he want?" Shin had already sat up in