Thaddeus began the trudge to his rooms on the third floor, for the first time in his life, the path to his rooms felt to far and too much to ask of him. His feet felt heavy and he had never been more grateful for his valets expediency and professionalism, as a dressing coat lay across his bed, and a bin had been laid to the side of the bed in expectation of the clothing being disposed of rather than saved. The man knew his master well.

He peeled off the clothing, and slipped into the steaming bath, the heat dispelling a cold he had not even realised had seeped into his bones. The water was quickly pink and he felt as though he might be the young man in the park, and his relaxing bath became a quick scrub, before he made his way to his own bed.

He lay down, still in his dressing gown, Thaddeus closed his eyes, and hoped the visions wouldn't follow him into sleep

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