Chapter 16: Ch:16 Red-Eyed Mornings and Shiny Apple Dreams
Suddenly, Dila finally stepped out of the room, her blanket now left behind like a molted shell of emotional damage. She walked quietly into the hall of the healer's house, her eyes still a little red from earlier. Not crying, of course. Just... dramatic eye allergies.
She paused near the end of the hall and spotted Toi quietly cleaning the table and chairs, humming some oddly catchy old-man tune that sounded like "Ode to Dust Wiping, Volume IV."
Clearing her throat gently, Dila spoke up.
"Sir Toi... I'm really grateful for taking care of me here. Thank you—for everything."
Toi looked up with a calm smile, nodded once, and returned to his cleaning with a quiet "hmm." Typical Toi.
But then, as she turned to the side—bam.
Sarios.
He was standing there already, like some kind of knightly shadow summoned by courtesy. His eyes serious. His stance composed. And then—he bowed, deeply and respectfully.
"You take your time, my lady," he said, voice calm and noble.
Behind him, Stella peeked over his shoulder, her bright eyes flicking to Dila as she pouted with a slightly scolding look.
"It's been an hour in that recovery room, you know. I was getting worried!"