Maximum of Twenty-Eight Years

At Hindman Manor

The next morning, Freya woke up in a rather grumpy mood. She had fallen asleep while waiting for Gideon to barge inside the bedchamber, but nothing had happened long enough for her to get bored and fall asleep.

She was startled when the door slowly opened. There, she saw Gideon's mother peeking through the gap.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just checking to see if you're already awake," the woman said with a friendly smile.

"Please come inside," Freya said. 

Rosa promptly entered the bedchamber, a small still on her face as she began to explain her presence.

"You're probably wondering where Gideon is. Last night, he went here to check on you and leave a word, but he said you were already sleeping," the older woman explained. "He didn't want to disturb you since he believed you needed rest after your journey." 

"Did he leave?" she worriedly gasped, wondering what had happened.