After glaring at him for a few minutes, Nathan walked away from Shui. Seeing his departing figure, Shui sighed before heading home.
"I'm home."
"Oh, Shui..."
On the sole bed, Suiri rested. Though she was still beautiful, her figure was now gaunt. Once her body started getting severely weaker, Shui shortened his training hours and spent more time by his mother's side. He didn't want to think about it but, he was afraid her time was almost up.
As he made lunch, Suiri stared at her little boy's back. She wanted to see him grow up, get married, bring her grandkids. However, she knew she wouldn't last that long.
"Shui, I'm sorry..."
"..."
He didn't respond. Recently, his mother apologised frequently. For what, he wasn't sure, but each time she did, he felt a pain in his chest. Normally, she tried to wear a bright expression, but there were times when her expression clouded. Though she thought Shui didn't notice, he always paid attention to her.
He didn't like it when the house's atmosphere got depressing, but he didn't know what to do. With nothing to rely on, he could only hope his mother could stay with him for as long as possible.
On one day back from his morning training, Shui noticed that the clan was more busy than usual. He was a bit interested, but with his limited connections he gave up on finding out what was going on. However, he would end up getting involved anyways.
While he ate lunch with his mother, there was a knocking sound coming from the door. The mother and son looked at each other but neither knew who it could be. Curious, Shui went to the door and carefully opened it.
"Is Suiri inside?"
In front of the door was his grandfather, the Patriarch, behind an unfamiliar man who asked for his mother. The man looked to be in his early twenties and wore a luxurious robe along with glittering jewelery. This along with his handsome face didn't make him particularly suspicious, but he didn't want any weird people around his Mom. Especially since this man could make the selfish Patriarch humble himself.
"Do you know my mother?"
"Boy, who do you think you're talking to?! This is-"
"It's fine Uncle Nalos. Tell your mother that it's Cruz."
"Cruz?"
Hearing the name from the door, Suiri recalled a certain person. Noticing that his mother seemed to know this man, Shui let them in.
"It really is you! It's been a long time."
"Indeed it has. More for you than for me it seems."
"Haha, maybe so."
For the first time recently, Shui saw his mother happily interacting with someone.
"What are you doing here? What about your business?"
"Ah, it's settled down. I'm actually back from a business trip and since I was nearby, I decided to check on you."
"Oh thanks, I'm glad you didn't forget this friend of yours."
As they seemed to have a good mood going, Shui went out to fetch water and left the house. Even for a relatively mature child like him, it was boring listening to a conversation like that.
As soon as he was out of the house, the two who were having a seemingly pleasant conversation immediately changed their atmosphere. Suiri's eyes became cold like condensed ice, while Cruz seemed to become an aloof noble, certain of his own superiority.
"So, why are you really here?"
"Ouch, your suspicions hurt me."
"I don't have time for your games Cruz."
Though it wasn't a lie that they knew each other, saying they were friends wasn't right either. They only met once before, when Suiri was doing business for the clan, so their relationship was better described as associates rather than friends. Suiri definitely didn't expect him to meet her without some ulterior motive. If Shui didn't leave of his own volition, she would have made up a reason for him to leave.
"Fine, I suppose we can stop the small talk here. That was your son, Shui was it?"
"What about it?"
The moment he mentioned Shui, the tension increased in Suiri's body. As a mother, she was prepared to crush anyone who meant to harm her child, even if she wasn't strong enough.
"Oh, no reason to get so defensive, I just want to give you two an oppurtunity. Come with me to Silver City."
"Wh, what?"
Suiri was geniunely confused by this proposal and considering the expression on her father's face, she knew he was surprised as well.
"If you come with me to Silver City, I can find doctors to treat you and you can live peacefully with your son."
"Hmph, no doctor can help me at this point."
Though she hated this fact, Suiri knew better than anyone else the state of her own body.
"Maybe they can't cure you, but I'm sure you know they can find means capable of extending your life."
"...And your condition?"
Suiri was honestly tempted by this deal of his, but she was still very wary of this cunning man in front of her.
Meanwhile, during this converstaion, Nalos wanted to join in to get a better understanding of the situation, but the status of Cruz made him wary.
"I just hope, that you can let me into this family of yours once you get better."
Cruz slid his hand on top of Suiri's and looked at her with greedy eyes. It was the same as before, after all this time, this man still hadn't changed.
Ever since he last met Suiri, Cruz desired to conquer her. Even with her inching closer to her death bed, he wanted at least one taste of her body. That didn't change despite him getting married three times. However, that was merely a secondary motive.
Suiri dragged her hand from underneath his and strengthened her glare at him.
"Aren't you married by now?"
"What does that have to do with us? Tell me Suiri, shouldn't you give the boy a proper father?"
"You!"
Noticing that Suiri was reaching her boiling point, Cruz decided to back away.
"Okay, okay, I took that joke too far. I can still bring you with me as long as you pay enough."
"What makes you think I have enough money to satisfy you?"
"Well, if you don't have enough money, I can accept valuable objects as well, such as, something that that man might have left with you."
"So that's what you came for."
The man that she loved had said that he was being chased by horrifying enemies because of an item he had. After he left in order to protect the two of them and finish his business, rumors went around that he left this item with her. The fact that he had been even stronger than the Patriarch added credibility to the rumor.
"So, do we have a deal?"
"No, I don't know what makes you think I have something like that but I don't. You can see yourself out."
"Suiri,"
A sound from the door cut Cruz off. Shui was back with a pail of water and looked curiously at the adults who were oddly silent.
"I suppose I'll take my leave now. Suiri, you should think hard about what's best for the both of you."
After leaving that line, Cruz left the shack with Nalos trailing behind.