In the end I fell asleep after staying up for nearly the whole night. I feel so embarrassed. Which carer falls asleep before the sick she is caring for? Even though I have woken up for some time, I pretend to be still sleeping by not opening my eyes and not moving. I hope Lord Valentine has not woken up to realize what a failure of carer I am.
I hear a soft chuckle. "Stop pretending. I know you're awake. You're so bad at pretending to sleep." Lord Valentine gently pats on my head. "You can stop pretending, Ianthe."
"I am sorry, Lord Valentine," I say. I open my eyes sheepishly, my cheeks bright with embarrassment. I open my eyes to find Lord Valentine sitting on the bed and smiling at me. All of the paleness and sickness he had yesterday are now gone from his face. He looks healthy even.
"Are you feeling better?"
