Julius gave Maverick a slight smirk. "Your wet nurse? Now I really want to meet her."
Wolfgang's reaction was more neutral, yet he muttered in his usual straightforward manner, "Captain's... captain?"
Julius turned, furrowing his brow. "What on earth does that mean, Wolfgang?"
Maverick, caught between amusement and the weight of old memories, slowly lifted his face. His voice softened, almost tentative. "Is... is she still alive?"
Shelly blinked in surprise. "Yes, she is! She was tending to the crops when I left for the hill, but she's probably resting by now."
At her words, Maverick's expression turned weary, as if a sudden headache had struck him. He ran a hand over his face and murmured, "So she's still alive…"
Shelly tilted her head, trying to peek at his expression through his hand. "Is something wrong, Lord Beecham?"
Quickly regaining his composure, Maverick forced a smile. "No, nothing at all. Let's go meet her."
