Luke, bound by magical chains, truly slept soundly. So much so that when I entered her room the next morning to wake her, she was still fast asleep.

Having fallen asleep the previous morning, she had effectively slept for nearly 24 hours straight. That just went to show how exhausted she had been.

Considering she had walked through the Abyss for a week and then ridden on horseback across about a third of the Empire for three days, it was understandable. On top of that, without anyone to share night watch duties, she’d likely stayed awake many nights, unable to properly rest.

“I admit I fell asleep momentarily out of carelessness, but I woke up within a few hours. Since I was still bound, I had no choice but to sleep again,” Luke insisted.

Her excuse didn’t hold water, though, since the magical chains binding her had been released as soon as she fell asleep. It was just a matter of pride, so I didn’t press her on it.

While Luke slept, Ethan and I used the time to plan our journey to the Abyss, prepare a travel carriage with Dietmeier, and spend the rest of the day playing with Eris.

The next morning, after waking up with Eris nestled between us, Ethan and I filled up on the hearty meals we wouldn’t taste again for the next three months while away from Blackwood Manor.