Try and Catch Me

Atonement (3)
“The medicine you made is enough for now. You earn yourself some sleep. But eat first. You looked worse than the patients,” he said as he gave Lia a look over.

Lia opened her mouth to protest but Eldric beat her to it. “That’s not called eating. You barely touched your foods.”

She let herself be dragged to the kitchen where Eldric spoke his order to the servants in that clear voice of his. In a short while, the foods were prepared in front of them. Lia’s stomach rumbled as the delicious aroma filled her nose. For the first time, she realized that she was famished.

They ate in silence. Lia inhaled her food, trying to shake off the oppressive air she was feeling. Eldric left her to her own thoughts which went to the negative side right away. Work kept her busy that she did not have time to think and wallow in self-pity.

When they were done, Lia could no longer keep her thoughts quiet. “You’re probably thinking about how selfish I am.”

Eldric paused from drinking his tea. “About what?”

“About not telling about the antidote. This could have been resolved a lot sooner.”

“Well, that’s true. But you have your reasons.”

“But what if I never said anything about it? What would you do then?” Lia heard the desperation, the anguish in her voice.

“I have other plans.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal as if he expected this. “I would have to beat the leader into admitting the cure. Or wait for the physicians at the Imperial City to make an antidote.”

“But I’m…

“Lia, you still made the medicine. That’s what’s important. I know, no matter how much you hated these people, you wanted to clear your mother’s name. You didn’t want her last memory, her last work to go like that. And you are regretting it now aren’t you? I think that’s enough. You’re doing enough, if not so much.”

Lia felt the tears before she even knew what was happening. She was far from being a cry-baby but lately, just a single word about her mother and all of her walls crumbled away. She hated showing this side of her to anyone, especially to Eldric. She hated how she was weak.

Eldric hugged her and let her cry on his shoulders. She was vaguely aware of his actions but his chest felt solid and sturdy before her as if carrying a reassurance that things would be alright again. In her heart, she was really grateful to have him on her side right now despite all the assumptions about him she had before.

“I’m sorry and thank you,” she said once she calmed down.

Eldric loosened the arms around Lia but did not completely let her go. “Don’t say that. There’s nothing to apologize. Especially not to me.”

Lia shook her head. “I’m holding you back from your work.”

To her surprise, Eldric laughed. The action made him younger, more carefree even for a bit. “You’re a welcome distraction. But Tim will give me a hard time if I let myself be more distracted.” Eldric tugged at her hand and lead her to the doorway. “Come. It’s time for you to sleep.”

Lia slept like a log. When she woke up, she felt disoriented as if she was only seeing the world for the first time. She felt light, refreshed, and well-rested.

Eldric greeted her.

After they ate their breakfast, Eldric broke the news. “The preparations are done. We’re going to attack tonight.”