02/06/1164

In front of a bed in the Cottage

William’s Perspective

My gaze darted back and forth between the kitchen of the cottage and the corridor with the door to the bedrooms.

Following the sound of footsteps, a petite young-looking woman with long arctic hair reaching down to her waist and gentle azure eyes. Her ample bosom and perfect figure couldn’t help but draw my eyes, giving me an odd sense of pride. A noble elegance spread through as she walked out of the kitchen, carrying a pot of water.

“Aria…” I opened my mouth, but didn’t know what to say. At last, I closed it back, not uttering a single word after that, hoping for her to understand my thoughts.

As if reading through my worries, she said, “William, don’t worry. They’ll be fine. It’s just a flesh wound. Nothing too serious.”

Although she said so, I still couldn’t help but worry.

Is this what it means to be a parent? How… amusing? No, that’s not the right word. Goofy? Maybe. I don’t know anymore.

Metaphorically raising my hands in the air, I exhaled a turbid breath, giving up the train of thought.

From behind Aria, a young girl around eight aevis walked out, bearing a striking resemblance to Aria, as well as to myself. Her face was slightly red as she carried another pot of water, albeit rather comically, carrying it atop her head while making a face as if it was the heaviest thing in the world.

A knot of concern formed within my heart, making me push against the wheels of my wheelchair as I made my way forward, stopping in front of her.

“Princess, it must be heavy. Let daddy help you.”

From beneath the pot, I could make out a shaking head as Amelia’s voice floated to my ears, “No, daddy. I will do it myself. Mommy said it will be like the training that brother does. It’ll make me strong. Then I will protect both you and mommy. And that idiot brother as well.”

An amalgamated feeling of joy of the little girl maturing alongside the bitterness regarding the same filled my chest, making me sigh yet again.

Shaking my head, I followed Amelia from behind, keeping a close watch.

Reaching the corridor with the doors to the four bedrooms, Amelia entered the first room to the right before placing her pot at the bedside.

Through the door, I could see Samuel sleeping there peacefully, his chest heaving up and down in a rhythmic motion. Wheeling my way in, I stopped beside the bed, looking at his sleeping face with melancholy.

Kids sure grow fast. Just yesterday, he was so small. And now he is fighting mutant direwolves.

Shaking my head, I stroked his hair before deciding to leave after finding nothing to do.

Before leaving, I turned to Amelia and said, “As soon as he wakes up, call me over. I’ll either be in the room across or outside in the hall.”

“Daddy! It’s already the fourteenth time you said that! I am not that forgetful. Hmph!”

“Amelia… try to understand that daddy is worried. Although I will agree that this is a bit overboard.”

Turning my head to look, I found Aria walking past me. Reaching the bedside, she placed the pot she was carrying down. In her other hand, she held a cloth, which she soaked in the water from one of the pots, before squeezing it lightly. Folding it in the shape of a strip, she put it on Samuel’s head.

Involuntarily, my head drooped, causing my eyes to focus on my pale, bony hand. Clenching and unclenching it a few times, my gaze darkened.

When will I get better as well? This damn… there’s no point in cursing. Only if we can find a cure. Although…

My head lifted to look at Aria. Specifically, at her worn out expression, which she did her best to hide.

The permanent relief of—No! I promised to not think about suicide. She is spending her own life to keep me afloat. So how can I disrespect her wishes and do something like that? She would be sad. These two—No, these three kids would be sad as well. William, although you’re like this, you’re still William.

Nodding to myself, I turned around, going to the room in front. On top of the bed in this room, Zack slept, a little out of breath when compared to Samuel in the room over. From his right eye, a rivulet of warm water flowed down, drenching his pillow.

This kid as well. He too… actually, no. I don’t know what to say.

Shaking my head, I closed in. Using my sleeve, I wiped the side of his face.

However, while I was wiping, the boy made an erratic movement, turning his head away. Next, while breathing roughly, he pushed against the bed, getting up. His head twisted left and right, as if in disbelief.

I chuckled while asking, “You alright?”

Zack seemed to be startled, staring at me blankly. After not getting a response for a while, I repeated my question, enunciating each word clearly, “Zack, are you alright? How are you feeling? Any discomfort?”

“Where’s Samuel? How is he?”

“Samuel… he is in the next room over. As far as he is concerned, he is doing better than how you must be faring, which means he is alright. Ki is helpful in treatment if you didn’t know.”

“Oh. Okay. And what happened to that… that… the direwolf?”

“Well, a powerful person took care of it. It shouldn’t bother you. As far as it goes, no other beasts should appear around this area anytime soon, if that’s what you’re trying to ask about. Looking at you like this, I guess you’re doing alright as well.”

Zack nodded with a solemn expression, tilting his head up to look at the ceiling. Silence shrouded the room.

This is a little… too quiet. Never thought I’d miss that annoying ticking clock back home.

I couldn’t help but rub my forehead at my thought.

Inhaling a deep breath, I mustered up the courage before opening my mouth.

“We need to talk. Oh?” Both Zack and I spoke over each other. “You go first. Ah….”

Well… that was awkward. Sure lightened the mood though, But what does he want to talk about?

Waving my hand, I said, “Zack, go first.”

Zack nodded before saying, “Uncle, I think that we… should clear some things up before it is too late. I hope you don’t mind.”

My brows furrowed as I looked at the boy in front of me with a scrutinising gaze.

“What things?”

“About… my mother’s murder. And… what I want to do.”

I involuntarily lifted my head, my eyes looking into his raven-black pupil, devoid of all light.

My chest tightened.

So this day finally came.

Taking another deep breath, I uttered a single word of response: “Continue.”