(Arata)
Camila arrived in the room with worries creasing her features, and they seed genuine.
"Arata, how are you holding up?" She asked, striding over and settling near .
I smiled through the pain. "Could have been worse, but I can’t walk or visit my family as I had planned to leave today."
She offered an understanding smile and squeezed my shoulder.
Camilla gently said. "Concentrate on getting better, and I am sure you will be fit to visit them near Christmas."
Lifting the quilt slightly, she observed my bandaged foot before covering it again.
"Thank you." My heart ached, but I didn’t want to break down in front of her. I still didn’t understand what her agenda was. She had never liked , so why the sudden change of heart? I was still trying to figure that out.
Camilla stirred the conversation away towards lighter topics, and I actually enjoyed talking to her. The ti flew, and Asbela arrived with a bowl of soup.
"What did you do, girl? Are you okay? I was so scared when Master told ." She sadly shook her head and settled near my feet with the bowl of soup. It brimd to the rim so that not a single drop could be added further into it. The white smoke swirled off its top.
My stomach actually rumbled from hunger, and I noticed it was the first ti in a very long ti that I was experiencing those pangs.
"It’s not that bad. Will heal soon." I tried to assure her. She filled up the soup spoon and removed the extra from the bottom before offering it to .
I slurped the hot liquid and it was so damn delicious that I wanted to snatch the bowl from her and empty it in one go.
"That’s so delicious soup you made, Asbela." I greedily took another spoonful from her, and she mischievously giggled.
"Actually, Master made it for you. He was so worried."
Her words almost made annoyance creep up on my face, but then I rembered his mother was sitting right beside .
So I plastered a plastic smile on my face and said with enthusiasm.
"He is always so thoughtful."
Camilla humd from my side. "I am not saying this because I am his mother. I have always been his biggest critic, too, so he could adjust to this cruel world better. But my son has a very soft heart, and he cares deeply when soone is sick or is in pain."
As much as I despised Karsten’s actions against , this was true. Every ti I was down or in pain, he was there for .
When I accidentally had periods while eting his family for the first ti. He had gone above and beyond to help .
Even now, he genuinely seed concerned, although I was not stupid enough to buy into his affections.
"He truly is remarkable in this aspect," I agreed with Camilla, not only because I was putting on a show, but it was true.
"Finish the soup, then. He sent strict instructions that you should drink all of it."
I wasn’t going to lie; I felt hungry, so montarily forgetting he made it, I drank up all of it.
Asbela put the bowl away and gave the tablets Dr Haines had left for . I downed them with a glass of water.
Camilla stayed by my side and shifted the conversation towards sothing funnier, which was Karsten’s childhood. I could see she was trying to connect.
"Once he caught a scorpion and was adamant to keep it as his pet. We were glad he hadn’t been stung when I found him holding it by its stinger. He was only seven," Camilla nostalgically narrated, sending Asbela and into bursts of laughter.
"He remained in a bad mood for three days. He was always moody, right from the beginning and never forgave easily." Camilla brought up more stories to keep my mood lifted.
Irrespective of everything, I found myself intrigued and listening with interest. There was so much I didn’t know about him.
While Camilla narrated another story from when he was a baby, the door opened, and he entered the room with his usual cold persona. His eyes drifted towards with hints of care so deeply embedded that it was a mammoth task to locate them.
"Laughing at my expense," he added broodily, and Camilla just brushed him off.
"Just narrating the true stories to your girlfriend. I know she will love them." Camilla’s attention turned towards , and she asked with a wink. "You do, right?"
I had to snatch my gaze away from Karsten.
"I do."
"See. I made her smile after the horrible morning she had." Camilla bead at her son.
"Thanks, Ma. Breakfast is almost ready, and the Christmas Tree is here. We should head down. After breakfast, we can decorate it."
Asbela hurriedly got up and left so she could arrange the table.
Camilla rubbed her hands together. Her fingers were adorned with elegant and expensive rings. She had quite a taste. "Perfect. We will do it together, and you will help ... no excuses. I want all of us to be part of this joyous occasion."
"I will." Karsten moved further in and stopped near , his eyes sharp on my face. "How are you feeling?"
"Good. Thank you for the soup. That was very delicious," I thanked him sincerely and hoped he would see that, irrespective of the shittines between us, I appreciated this gesture from him.
"Why don’t you carry Arata downstairs? We will have breakfast together, and then we will work on the tree. Arata can rest by the fireplace. Arrange the chaise lounger for her," Camilla suggested, getting up, and Karsten’s eyes sparkled as if he had hit a jackpot.
I wanted to protest, but that would co off as if I wished to be left alone instead of joining them for Christmas preparations.
And Camilla was making so much effort, I couldn’t just say no.
"I think that’s an excellent plan. I will carry her down once the lounger has been set up." Taking out his phone, Karsten placed a call to Olphi, and I could do nothing but helplessly watch.
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