After breakfast, a servant came to clear the table.


    "Would you like to go for a walk and enjoy the sea breeze, or would you prefer to rest inside?" Leonard asked.


    A walk meant spending time with him, and Ste wanted to avoid being alone with him. "I remember seeing an art studio when you showed me the house yesterday," she said. "I''d like to go there."


    "Alright," Leonard agreed.


    He led Ste to the studio. It was in a perfect location, facing the ocean. Through therge ss window, she could see the sparkling surface of the water. The balcony was filled with beautiful green nts and vibrant flowers that cascaded down in front of the window. A gentle breeze made the shell wind chimes tinkle melodiously.


    She had to admit, Leonard had excellent taste. But despite the beautiful and romantic scene, Ste felt an indescribable sense of suffocation. This was the studio she had always dreamed of, a dream she had never shared with anyone, not even Abby or Antoney. The irony that her most hated enemy understood her so intimately was bothughable and chilling.


    Sensing her mood shift, Leonard asked, "What''s wrong? Don''t you like it?"


    "No, it''s fine." Ste turned to him. "May I paint here?"


    "Of course," Leonard said. "You''re the mistress of this house. You can go wherever you want and do whatever you please. You don''t need to ask my permission."


    The title "mistress of the house" made Ste nearly lose control and show her disgust. She took a quiet breath. "I don''t like to be disturbed when I''m painting. Could you please leave?"


    "Of course."


    Without lingering, Leonard turned and left. Only after he was gone did Ste''s tense body finally rx. She took several deep breaths to calm herself. Maybe she really wasn''t cut out for this; acting was exhausting.


    Afterposing herself, Ste walked over to the easel. All the painting supplies she could possibly need were there. Ste loved to paint when she was feeling unsettled. Focusing all her attention on her art helped her forget her troubles.


    She faced the ocean and began to paint. Time always flew by when she was creating. She wasn''t sure how long had passed when the studio. door opened silently. Startled, she thought Leonard had snuck back in, but when she turned around, she saw a small cat with a glossy coat strolling inzily.


    Ste looked at the little cat and quickly recognized it as the kitten she had given to L-Leonard-to adopt. The cat seemed to remember her, too. It let out a "meow," leaped into her arms, and began to rub against her affectionately.


    Ste couldn''t help but stroke the cat''s head, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Hello there. It''s been a long time."


    The kitten seemed to understand, responding with another "meow."


    Seeing a familiar... well, a familiar cat, in this strange ce finally lifted Ste''s spirits. This exact moment was witnessed by Leonard, who had been looking for his cat. Ste''s eyes were curved into crescents, ber smule far more genuine than any she had ever shown him.


    Leonard''s heart unexpectedly grew calm and peaceful. The agitation and gloom that had gued him recently seemed to wash away though suddenly urred to him if he had met Ste before his struggle for power, he might have been content to just enjoy the life he had.