Bond of Duty

"This way, nobody will suspect that you don't live in my room." Nicholas gestured discreetly. "Thank you, Elder Brother. Can I borrow some books from your study?" Sarah asked while expressing her gratitude for his thoughtfulness. "Help yourself." Nicholas nodded with a warm smile. "Elder Brother, from now on, you are my favorite!" Sarah's face broke out into a smile. Nicholas gently patted her head. As it was getting late, Sarah bid farewell to Nicholas before she cheerfully crossed the secret passage and slipped into her own room. Nicholas's gaze lingered on the painting, hiding a secret passage between two rooms, his thoughts drifting. As the days passed, he grew accustomed to the subtle sounds emanating from the other side of the wall. Sarah's gentle voice humming a soft tune, her gentle whispers as she read a book, her excited exclamations when she came across an interesting scene, the soft rush of water when she showered, the soft music drifting from her cassette player, her occasional light coughs when she was under the weather, and the muffled noises of the TV when she watched movies or news. This quiet intimacy created a sense of familiarity, and Nicholas found himself anticipating Sarah's daily rhythms. What would today bring? The soft melody of her laughter or the absorbed silence of her reading, or maybe her gentle humming? Only time would tell.