"Day, I'm full already; you can have the rest of the bread." Brother said, dramatically placing his hand over his stomach, where I can see his sunken-in belly through the ragged clothes he is wearing.
"You ate so little, though!" I complained. My voice is rough due to coughing so much. He chuckled softly, looking down on me, and patted my head.
"Eat well, Day. Or you'll get sick again." He ruffled my hair as I reluctantly ate it....
"Brother... Would we ever be able to get out of here?" I looked up at him and saw his expression darken just for a moment, then he smiled.
"Of course we will! ... and when we do, I'll get you more food and better clothes for the winter. Sounds good, right?~
He shifted slightly closer and wrapped his hands around me. A rather desperate attempt to keep me warm and not let my already high fever grow.
Aah, cold...
The chill from the dream clung to me as I opened groggy eyes and looked out the window. Indeed, it is snowing again.
I sat up straight and pulled on the bell gently. Soon Lilith came in.
"Good morning, Your Grace. Did you have a good night's sleep?"
I just hummed softly at her question and watched her take out some warm dresses and a shawl to go with them.
Noticing my blank stare, Lilith spoke up, her voice gentle and soothing as always. "The lords and ladies are already on their way to the dining room, and the staff are already getting the breakfast ready."
"Huh?... what time is it?"
"It's half past nine, my lady."
I jumped out of the bed.
"I slept so much today."Damn man.
I always wake up at eight or seven or maybe even earlier than that due to my insomnia. And even when I do sleep, it isn't much of a rest because I have so many nightmares and night terrors.
I really must have been tired, huh?
I washed up, and then Lilith helped me into a warm dark green dress and put a white shawl around my shoulders.
I walked out of the room looking at the floor's brown carpet. As I passed through the halls, every maid as well as the guards bowed and greeted me. But I paid them no mind; I'm too tired to respond to all this.
I got a lot to do today after all.
The knight in front of the dining room bowed as they opened the door. Where all 5 of them are sitting down, food ready, and Kas is already digging in.
I smiled softly at the sight and walked over to the head chair and settled down. A maid came and presented my food.
I nodded, and she left.
I looked up. But didn't speak for a moment, too hesitant to ruin the stillness in the room.
"Aren't you going to eat now, or do you enjoy starting that much?" Kas said and took a bite of his mashed potatoes.
Such a brat all the time.
Leo elbowed Kas as a gesture telling him to shut up and stop being rude.
Though I find it rather adorable.
My expression softens.
"Aren't you sad your dear older brothers and sister are leaving right after breakfast?" I paused, then continued, "Maybe I should send you with them," I teased. The atmosphere lightened up a little.
Kas pouts, and Leo and Cedric chuckle softly.
"Sounds like a threat, doesn't it, Kas~. I wonder what you would study at the academy." Said Cedric, and Isolde just gave him a side-eye.
And amidst it all, Alaric stayed out of it.
Cedric looked at me, and his voice was polite and somewhat formal. "I heard Your Grace is going to the inspection this evening?"
"Indeed I am."
"But isn't it rather early this month? "... I thought it was to be in the next week…" His voice leased with curiosity.
"There seems to be something that needs immediate attention that I wasn't aware of until now."
He hummed in acknowledgement, not asking further questions.
"Well, if you paid more attention to what you were doing, it wouldn't have been urgent," Alaric said coldly.
"Why don't you focus on what you are doing rather than trying to lecture me, Alaric?" ... I didn't mean to say that out loud. Great, I angered him more.
Alaric shot me a glare but didn't say anything else.
Cedric noticed the growing tension again and spoke up: "What's for dessert today? I'm really in the mood for sweets."
Leo and Kas joined in enthusiastically. "Me toooo!" they both said.
I gesture for a maid to bring out the dessert. Soon she came back with fresh strawberry tarts and gave one to everyone at the table.
I, who was still eating chicken soup, got one too. Though by the time I finished my meal, it was a little cold, but I ate it anyway.
"Did you pack everything you all needed?" I asked all three of them, though. Cedric and Isolde nodded; Alaric just straight up pretended not to hear a word.
He could really be really childish sometimes. though technically he is a child.
For the first time in months, Isolde spoke directly to me.
"I had ordered a dress for me and Cedric. When it comes, would you mind sending it to the academy? It's for the winter festival there," her voice was cold and formal.
"Of course I'll send it right away when it comes."
She just nodded, then stood up and gestured for Cedric to follow her as they left...a few minutes later the other three followed as well.
"Are the carriage and all the things ready for their departure?" my voice calm and collected as always.
Lilith, who was standing behind me, stepped forward. "Yes, your grace. Everything is ready and in place just as you instructed." I nodded and stood up.
"What about the orders I gave the commander and vice commander? Has it been carried out?"
"Yes, your grace. I myself went to see them. and they are ready to depart anytime as well."
I hummed softly. "Pack some headache medicine and pain relievers for me," I ordered as I made my way to the front gates, where knights were putting Alaric, Cedric, and Isolde's bags away in the carriage.
Isolde was already settled in the carriage. Alaric was talking to a knight, and Cedric, who noticed me, walked over.
"Everything alright?"
Cedric nodded. "I was just going to get on the carriage as well."
"I see." A beat passed. "Write to me if there is something you need or anything."
"Yes, I will."
"Safe travels."
He nodded in acknowledgment and got on the carriage. Slowly but surely the houses started to move, and the carriage faded into the distance.
I went inside, and the sight that greeted me was interesting.
Kas and Leo couldn't go out to say their farewell because of the heavy snow, so they were whining in the hallway. and their poor nannies tried their best to get them to be calm but failed miserably.
"Leo… kas enough with the tantrum. Stand up right now, or else you won't get any dessert for lunch." Immediately they stood up and ran to their room.
I let out a low chuckle as I made my way to the training grounds. As I got near, the sound of swords crashing against each other became more clear.
I would be hearing this for a while.
I sighed softly.