Chapter 268: Kaiser’s Arrival
If the pearl in her hand wasn’t real, Edith would have thought she was dreaming, a beautiful dream conjured by Sharon’s power. But it was real, a gift from Adele, a precious jewel born from suffering, finally brought into the light. Tears pricked at Edith’s eyes, but she held them back, unwilling to show weakness in front of Adele.
“Thank you... Adele,” she whispered, clutching the pearl tightly.
“I’ll treasure it.” She understood the message behind the gift, the silent promise of acceptance and forgiveness, and she vowed not to disappoint Adele.
Adele, watching her, felt a familiar twinge of embarrassment. These sentimental moments weren’t her forte. But as long as Edith understood, as long as she cherished the gift, that was enough. She turned to the others, only to be met with a chorus of disgruntled pouts.
“Master, you’re playing favorites...” Celeste grumbled, voicing the unspoken complaint of the others. Adele had disappeared into the tent with Edith, and now she had emerged with a pearl, a gift seemingly reserved only for Edith.
“Yeah!” Wofoo nodded, her wolf ears twitching. Even the usually docile Sharon puffed out her cheeks in protest.
Adele, surprised by their reaction, offered a hasty solution. “...Should I go back to the river and look for more clams?”
Their pouts deepened. That was hardly a solution!
“Okay, okay! I’ll get you all gifts after we leave this place!” Adele promised, her voice a playful appease. The girls, mollified by her promise, relaxed, their earlier resentment fading.
Edith, however, smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. It was the first time she had experienced such... preferential treatment. But she knew it was a fleeting moment, a whim of Adele’s, and she couldn’t allow herself to expect more. She would repay Adele’s kindness with unwavering loyalty. She busied herself preparing lunch – grilled fish, clams, and some river shrimp – her heart filled with a quiet gratitude.
As the food cooked, Edith, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow, called out to Adele and the others, who were relaxing in the tent, “Adele, the fish is almost rea—!?”
Her words died in her throat as she saw the small figure standing before her, a child with Adele’s familiar pink eyes and delicate features.