She had done this unconsciously, a gesture ingrained from her younger days.

On every snowy night, even after he had left Duefron for abroad, she had written his name.

Alexis lingered by the window for a long while, until she detected unusual footsteps in the corridor.

Could it be... Leonel?

Startled, Alexis quickly returned to her bed, feigning sleep. Within moments, there was activity in the adjacent parlor-someone had entered.