Ryosuke exhaled slowly. "Stubborn as always," he muttered, though there was an undeniable warmth in his tone.
A servant arrived with a fresh basin of water and clean cloths, which Nori accepted gratefully. He re-dampened the cloth and placed it over Ito's forehead, his fingers lingering for a moment. The girl's skin was warm, but not dangerously so.
Outside, the estate had slowly begun to stir with morning activity. The rising sun cast soft golden light over the compound, a stark contrast to the fear that had gripped it the night before.
Nori let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples. "She should still be kept under observation," he said, his voice softer now, the weight of exhaustion creeping in. "Her fever may have broken, but we cannot be certain she is completely out of danger. Make sure she drinks more of the tea throughout the day. If anything changes, send for me immediately."
