Late at night, his sore throat worsened. Reaching out, he found a glass of iced water neatly placed on the table.
Without looking, he picked it up and drank, feeling the coolness spread through his throat, but something about the taste was amiss.
It was only at that moment that he realized he was just holding a glass of plain iced water.
Erick sat up, and just then, a servant walked by. He asked, “Where is Elin?”
The servant seemed surprised by the question, thought for a moment, and answered, “Mr. Foster, Elin left for her studies quite some time ago.”
Erick, still fuzzy from the alcohol, didn’t grasp it immediately.
Then, it hit him that she was off at college. He asked, “Doesn’t she come back on weekends?”
The servant gave Erick a disbelieving look and responded, “Mr. Foster, are you serious? Elin is studying in Uchaesau. A connecting flight to Swynborough takes a day and a half, so two days wouldn’t suffice for a round trip.”
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Erick was taken aback. A few seconds later, there was a “thud” as the glass slipped from his hand onto the carpet. Luckily, it didn’t break.
He repeated in disbelief, “She’s studying in Uchaesau?”
“Right!” The servant nodded. “You didn’t know?”
Confusion clouded the servant’s face. After all, Erick and Elin appeared to get along well, yet Erick seemed oblivious to Elin’s studying abroad in Uchaesau.
Noticing Erick’s puzzled expression, the servant added, “Elin has been overseas for a month now. Annis mentioned Elin won’t be returning for the holidays. Annis planned to fly to Uchaesau instead.”
At the servant’s words, Erick suddenly stood up and bolted outside.
The servant, witnessing an unprecedented disturbance in Erick, paused.
After a brief moment of astonishment, the servant retrieved the glass that lay forgotten on the floor.
Erick sprinted to where Elin resided and swung the door open without knocking.
Annis habitually left the front door unlocked at night, just in case of emergencies. Positioned close to the main house, the housekeeper’s quarters were considered safe within the estate.
Erick stepped into the small room once vibrant with Elin’s presence, now stark and empty. The desk where Elin used to study had vanished.
With everything removed, the room lay bare. Not even a bed was left.
At that moment, Erick’s gaze turned icy, his demeanor chilling. Elin had really gone, and he was completely unaware.
“Mr. Foster?” Annis’ voice, tinged with astonishment, floated from behind Erick.
As Erick turned around, Annis registered his face. In a tone laced with bewilderment, she inquired, “Mr. Foster, to what do I owe this visit?”
Erick, rigid in the doorway, demanded, “Annis, where is Elin?”