[Storyteller's POV]
Haletha was biting on her thumb in frustration when her daughter, Arieda, came into her room. She immediately composed herself, perfectly hiding her worry from her daughter. Unfortunately, Arieda knew her mother too well. She could easily spot the frustration and anxiousness her mother desperately tried to hide.
The said daughter sighed bitterly. She was equally worried about the future, so she couldn't bring herself to comfort her mother. Should she try, she knew she would sound desperate. Rather than comforting her mother, she would sound like she was comforting herself.
Stopping before her mother who was sitting pristinely on her bed, Arieda received a quirked eyebrow. Smiling wryly, she said something that most acquaintances used to greet each other.
"How are you?"
"I am wonderfully fine."
