"And don’t hide anything." Nura’s father added. "Tell us ’everything’.’
"U-Understood, my lord!" Grace bowed again and revealed that Nura was doing very well, befriending other noble children, pushing herself every day, and striving to become stronger. "...She... She is also having nightmares occasionally."
"What!" The couple exclaimed in shock.
"Nura, is that true?" The mother turned to Nura, eyes wide with concern.
But her father kept his gaze fixed on Grace. "You! Why didn’t you tell us sooner?"
"Forgive me, my lord!" Grace immediately bowed, her shoulders trembling.
"F-Father, it was me who told her not to tell you!" Nura stood up and positioned herself between Grace and her father. "I didn’t want you to worry. It’s just nightmares. They’re not that serious, and Sister Grace always helps me through them. Please don’t blame her."
"...Huf." Her father let out a sigh and smiled again, rubbing her head dotingly. "Alright, I will listen to you. But..." He paused, his eyes falling on Grace. "This should be the last time."
"Y-Yes, my lord!" Grace bowed in gratitude. "Thank you for your mercy."
Nura smiled and thanked her father.
"Sweetie, can you tell me what kind of nightmares they are?" Nura’s mother asked as she took her hands in hers. "Do you... remember anything?"
"...No." Nura shook her head in disappointment. "I can’t remember the nightmares or anything else. My memories... They are still messy. I... I’m sorry."
Nura lowered her head in disappointment. Her parents exchanged a glance, a mysterious smile playing on their lips.
Then her mother hugged her again, pulling her close and stroking her hair. "There’s nothing to apologize for, sweetie. The doctor said it would take time. What matters is that you’re here with us now. The rest will come back when it’s ready."
"...Mmm."
"Or we can just make new memories, right?"
"Hehe, right."
Nura sank into the warmth of her mother’s embrace, her eyes drifting shut as the gentle strokes against her hair soothed the last of her worries away. Unfortunately, she remained unaware of the real expressions her parents wore above her head.
All she felt was warmth. All she heard was a heartbeat that she believed was full of love.
"...Nura." Soon, her mother pulled back, her expression once again soft and kind. "We should take our leave now. But don’t worry, we’ll visit again tomorrow."
Nura nodded, a small smile on her lips. "I’ll be waiting."
Her father stood and adjusted his suit. "You can go ahead, Nura. We have a few things to discuss with your maid."
Nura hesitated, glancing toward Grace. "...Please, don’t bully her," she said, only half-joking.
"Of course not," her mother said with a light laugh. "Now go on."
"See you tomorrow."
Reluctantly, Nura rose and made her way to the door. She paused beside Grace and gave her hand a quick squeeze before stepping out into the hallway. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Grace alone with the two people who held her leash.
Lord Valmere’s stern expression eased. He raised a hand and a faint shimmer spread across the walls, sealing the room from prying ears and eyes. Only then did he turn to Grace with a satisfied nod.
"Good job."
Grace bowed respectfully, her eyes fixed on the floor. "Thank you for your praise, my lord."
"She’s taking her ’medicine’ on time, yes?"
"Yes, my lord. Every day, ’as prescribed’."
"Good." He adjusted his cuff, his gaze drifting toward the door Nura had just left through. "Keep it up. And make sure she doesn’t suspect anything."
"Understood."
"...No one came looking for her as well, right?"
"No, aside from the family, no one."
"Good," His smile widened. ’It seems he’s really gone for good.’
"Alright, here, take this." He then took out a few things from his storage ring and threw them at Grace, who barely managed to catch them. "There are instructions written on what to do. You can take your leave now. Just remember to keep reporting everything."
"Yes, my lord." Grace bowed one last time and quickly took her leave.
He turned to his wife and smiled. "Shall we go, dear?"
"..." She looked him dead in the eye, her earlier gentle expression gone. "Don’t call me that. Hearing it from you makes me sick."
"..." His brows twitched, but he managed to keep his composure. "If you want to continue being her ’mother’, you should get used to it. If not..."
A cold glint passed through his eyes.
"...Hmph. Don’t think you can threaten me." She scoffed and, with a flick of her dress, moved toward the door. "I don’t need you to tell me what to do."
"Creek-!"
The door swung open and slammed shut behind her.
"..."
His smile slowly faded. For a moment, his expression twisted into something ugly, a flicker of cold fury passing through his eyes. Then, just as quickly, he smoothed it away. He adjusted his collar, took a slow breath, and waved a hand to dispel the barrier. By the time he stepped into the hallway, his face was calm and composed once more.
’Let’s endure it for now...’
───────
Later at night...
"Hah... Today was exhausting too." Nura threw herself at the bed, burying her face in the soft pillows as her limbs sprawled out like a starfish.
"My lady, please drink your medicine before sleeping." Grace approached the bedside with a small glass in hand, the liquid inside faintly shimmering under the lamplight.
"Oh, right." Nura chuckled as he took it. "I almost forgot about it."
Grace watched as Nura gulped it down in three quick swallows, her throat bobbing with each one until the glass was empty. She set it down with an ’urgh’ due to the bitter taste and wiped her lips with a napkin Grace had already prepared.
"Thank you, Sister Grace."
"Then I will take my leave," Grace bowed respectfully. "Good night, my lady. I hope you have only sweet dreams tonight."
"Mm, you too." Nura mumbled drowsily, already sinking back into the mattress. Her eyes fluttered shut, and within moments, her breathing slowed into the gentle rhythm of sleep.
Grace lingered a moment before reaching down and pulling the blanket up to Nura’s shoulders, her fingers resting at the edge of the fabric. She gazed at Nura’s peaceful face, and something flickered in her eyes.
"...I’m sorry, my lady."