~Elsie's POV
I stayed there long after the room emptied. The silence was not peaceful at all. It pressed against my skin in a way that made me aware of every little sound, even the faint clink of porcelain as the maid moved somewhere behind me. My hands were still resting on the edge of the table, but I was no longer looking at the food.
I was looking at nothing because my mind was too loud. I did not even notice when the maid finally stepped closer until her voice broke through my thoughts.
"Madam, are you done?" she asked carefully.
Her tone was polite, but there was caution underneath it, like she had learned not to disturb me too sharply.
I blinked slowly, then nodded once.
"Yes," I replied quietly.
My voice sounded strange to me, like it belonged to someone else who was trying very hard to stay calm.
She reached for the bowl, but I stopped her for a moment.
"Wait," I said before I could overthink it.
