The silence of the night still lingered in the infirmary in the early morning. Beyond the window, a faint light squeezed through the curtains, spreading long across the white sheets, and only the faint smell of disinfectant and steady breathing settled in the room.

Then, a low groan escaped from the bed.

Hugh's fingers slowly clenched on the sheet. His closed brows furrowed deeply, and his sleeping body twisted minutely. Nothing could be seen beneath the bandage covering his right eye, and only the opposite eyelid trembled a few times before lifting heavily.

...Ha.

A short, broken breath leaked from the back of his throat. Hugh remained motionless with his eyes open for a while. Then, as if waiting for the pain to subside, he pursed his lips tightly and slowly swallowed his breath, but before long, his brow narrowed again.

The strength in his fingertips grew a bit stronger.

The dawn light was seeping into the hospital room quietly, as if knowing nothing.