The sun hung high in the sky when the carriage crossed the border into Dhela, casting a faint warmth despite the chilly weather. Inside the carriage, Camilla remained quiet, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Though she tried to appear composed, her wide, curious eyes betrayed her awe.
"Perhaps this is her first time seeing a rural area," Ranav thought. "Or maybe she's never been outside the city."
Their first stop was Nanima's house, which was on the way to the village center. The carriage halted in front of her quaint home, nestled within the serene surroundings of Dhela. Everyone disembarked to show their respect. Nanima bid them farewell warmly before stepping inside and reminded Ranav to visit her the next morning.
The carriage then resumed its journey to the village center, where Ranav and Camilla parted ways with Tenali Raman.
"Thank you for the ride, Old Chief," Ranav said, bowing slightly.
"Don't mention it," Tenali replied, his tone gruff but kind. "By the way, are you keeping up with your sword practice, or have you been slacking off?"
Ranav scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I haven't had much time for practice these past few days in the city. But I'll get back to it soon."
Tenali nodded, his expression firm. "Good. If you can spare the time, come to the knights' training ground every morning. Even a short session will keep you sharp. Besides, I'd like to pass on a few tricks I've learned over the years."
Ranav smiled. "I'll come tomorrow morning, though I'll need to leave early. My master has already asked for my presence in the morning."
"Fair enough. I'll see you then." With that, Tenali headed off to his own home.
Camilla walked silently beside Ranav as they made their way through the village. After a few moments, she spoke hesitantly, "Will your parents agree to let me stay? I'm sorry if I've caused you trouble."
Ranav gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. I know my family. Leave everything to me."
As they approached his home, Ranav saw his father, Trinav, and his sister, Vivita, stacking dried firewood in a corner of the courtyard, preparing for the coming winter.
Vivita spotted him first. "Little Bro!" she exclaimed, dropping the bundle of sticks she was carrying and sprinting towards him. She threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
"You've grown taller again!" she complained, playfully punching his shoulder.
Trinav, noticing the unfamiliar girl accompanying his son, approached with a more measured manner. His sharp eyes took in the scene before he said, "You're home, son. And you've brought a guest, I see. Don't just stand in the courtyard… come inside. Your mother will be glad to see you."
Ranav gestured for Camilla to follow him as he entered the house. She trailed behind, her eyes darting around as she took in her surroundings.
Inside, Naveena was setting the table for lunch. When she heard the door creak open, she looked up, and her face lit up with joy.
"Ranav!" she cried, rushing over to hug him tightly. After a long embrace, she held him at arm's length, inspecting him with a critical eye.
"Have you been eating properly? Oh no, you've lost weight in just a few days! Didn't your father give you enough money? Why didn't you buy yourself some food? Did Nanima overwork you with training?" she fired off her questions in rapid succession, completely oblivious to the guest standing in the room.
Trinav cleared his throat loudly, drawing her attention. Naveena turned, finally noticing Camilla for the first time. She blinked in surprise.
Ranav quickly stepped in. "Dad, Mom, Sis, please have a seat. I want to introduce Camilla to you properly."
Sensing the seriousness in his tone, Trinav and Naveena exchanged a glance before sitting down. Vivita followed suit, her earlier enthusiasm replaced by curiosity. Ranav gestured to his chair and said, "Camilla, please sit here."
Camilla hesitated for a moment before taking the offered seat. Meanwhile, Ranav positioned himself at the corner of the table, where everyone could see him clearly. Taking a deep breath, he began.
"Dad, Mom, Sis… this is Camilla. We met in the city under unusual circumstances. Some goons were trying to take her by force," he said, his voice steady but laced with tension. "I couldn't just stand by, so I stepped in and helped her escape. It was chaotic, but we managed to get away."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"I thought that was the end of it, but yesterday, I ran into her again at the healing center's library. She'd been hiding there, working as a janitor in disguise. She told me her story… how those same goons destroyed her rented house, how her landlord blamed her and threw her out despite having paid her rent. She's been on her own ever since her grandfather passed away, with no family left to turn to."
Ranav's voice grew softer. "Those men are part of a powerful gang in the city. Staying there would have been too dangerous for her. I couldn't leave her in such a vulnerable situation. I thought, if we couldn't be around, would Vivita be in such a terrible situation? So, I brought her here, hoping our family could offer her a safe place to stay. I know we're not wealthy, but we can manage an extra plate at the table."
He looked down, his confidence wavering. "I made this decision on my own. If I've acted rashly, I'm sorry. I just couldn't ignore someone in need."
A heavy silence settled over the room. Trinav and Naveena exchanged another glance, their expressions unreadable. Vivita stared at the table, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Camilla sat quietly, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, her eyes fixed on the floor.
Ranav shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say next. Through their mental link, he reached out to Jessica. "Did I say enough? Should I explain more? What if my parents don't agree?"
Jessica's reply was calm. "Give them a moment. This is a lot to take in. Let them process it."
Just then, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor broke the silence. Vivita rose abruptly and rushed to her brother, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. She was sobbing uncontrollably.
Ranav hugged her back, his heart heavy with emotion. No words were needed between them… they both understood each other perfectly.
As he looked up, he saw his mother pulling Camilla into a gentle embrace. The tension in his chest eased, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
On the side, Trinav watched the scene unfold. He exhaled deeply, a resigned but tender expression crossing his face. His family had made their decision, and he would stand by it, no matter what.