Complete silence lingered inside the hut for a while. Theo looked out through the doorway, lost in thought.
Elias glanced at Clara with perplexed emotions. This didn't feel like the right moment for something like this, no matter how good their relationship was.
"I suppose we are past the point where you need to be my attendants," Theo said at last, his voice and heart feeling heavy.
Clara looked at him, surprise flashing across her face, which quickly turned into dumbfoundedness. She had prepared herself for anything, but nothing could have prepared her for this.
Elias remained silent, looking at Theo, sensing how deeply he was thinking.
"But is it really necessary for you to stay as my attendants?" Theo asked again.
A still silence stretched on while Clara was still reeling from his previous words.
"Clara," Theo called, snapping her back from her daze.
"Yes, young master?" she replied. Her answer made Theo turn to her with a serious expression.
