"Master, I am sorry," Jethru's voice trembled as he knelt beside the frail old man's bed. His broad shoulders shook, and his fingers dug into the flesh of his palms. "I didn't know. If I had, I would have come back… even if it cost me my life."
Tears streamed down his weathered face, releasing pent-up emotions that was bottled up for so long.
Outside the room, Lara, who had just finished settling Sandoz, heard the raw emotion in his voice. She paused, brows furrowing, then, with quiet steps, moved closer to the door, pressing her ear against the wood.
Beneath her, Sandoz mimicked her movements, curiosity shining in his wide eyes.
From the kitchen, Reya, holding a knife mid-chop, noticed their odd behavior. Her gaze flitted from the half-cut vegetables to the two figures at the door, their heads tilted in unison. With a bemused expression, she wiped her hands on her dress and joined them, pressing an ear to the wood.
