The door to the operating room closed with a muted click. The tightly spaced wall lights bathed the dim treatment room in a warm yellow glow as the last light of day faded. Ingrid, seated casually on the edge of a soldier’s bed, let out a nasal laugh tinged with mockery as she watched Vlad and Liliette emerge.
“Oh my, done already? I thought there’d be commotion all night,” she said with a smirk.
Liliette hid behind Vlad, using him as a shield. She hadn’t expected Ingrid to still be there. Even though nothing had happened, a deep embarrassment washed over her, as if they’d been caught in the act. Her fingers trembled slightly as they clutched the back of Vlad’s uniform.
“You weren’t in there for very long. Was there an issue with the Duke? No, you both look far too composed. Hmph. You went in with such fanfare, only to come out after a simple chat?”
Her attempt at provocation fell flat, and her shoulders slumped in disappointment.
