and spaces. It wasn't stillness. It was distance. As if the

of forced obedience, no longer knew how to rest. He was still wearing the same clothes Nina had left on the bed, clean but rough, wi

ce where the clocks seemed most human. The smell of strong coff

inuing to wash dishes th

if that were wh

ee how things are

before, in another version of himself. As if he knew by hea

'll tell you some. Others... bette

said n

walk through the gardens of the east wing. Meals are served here, for the staff. Not at the same time as the ma

n the table s

t to do... wait. Look. That can

on marble announced Estela de Altamirano even before her figure appeared. He entered as if he hadn't asked permission because h

d. Elías did too

ast night?" Estela asked, not

ina replied in

mpulses. Always so... g

r gaze scanned Elías from top to bott

s your

lowed. He

lí

t add a

ny n

inion. It was a

don't like conflicts. Or misunderstandings. Do I make myself cle

, ma

she left, just as she had entered, leaving behind her th

him as soon as

r alone if you can avoid it. And if y

ok a dee

t was a lie. It hurt bec

ed like confinement. An old gallery, locked from the outside, where the

ing a bronze candlestick. "But it's good for you to know

ced a different door. Smaller. Made o

that

idn't

efore I arrived. And that was ov

out opening it. The wood gave him a strange feeling

orboards: a key ring. It had a letter engraved on it: R

. He just knew it

rated cage. And each room had its own lo

red the most ele

y beginning to me