Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The soft, measured rapping echoed gently against the wooden door, the sound unusually loud in the otherwise quiet corridor.
"Young Master Riley? Are you awake?" a timid voice called from outside.
Cassie stood just beyond the threshold, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her apron.
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, clearly hesitant.
Riley had been frail since childhood, and because of that, he despised being disturbed without a proper reason. The entire household knew this well.
But today… she had no choice.
He hadn't eaten since morning.
More than that, he hadn't allowed anyone to enter his room at all. Not even her.
Cassie bit her lower lip, her brows knitting together in worry.
She had considered leaving the tray of food outside his door, but she knew he wouldn't touch it. If anything, he might grow irritated that she had disobeyed him in the first place.
