Chapter 44: Chapter 44 – ‘I don’t see it anymore!’
After drinking her lukewarm ginger soup, Feng sat down idly. ‘wait, I haven’t seen Elle in like two days. Where is she?’
She glanced at the boys, who were carefully folding their newly washed clothes. Even though lady had arranged a maid for them, the boys did not like anyone coming into the room. So the cleaning duties all came down to them.
“Have you guys seen Elle?”
Aiden glanced up while holding a white shirt in hand. “The last I saw her was on deck. I haven’t seen that sticky girl after that.”
“Hmm, its weird,” Ethan mumbled as he placed the folded pants inside the shirt Aiden folded.
“Wait, so both of you haven’t seen her after my accident,”
They both shook their head.
.....
“I will go check on her. Poor kid might have been scared.” Feng got down from the bed and ran back to lady Hiliana’s study.
The old lady was pleasantly surprised. “I didn’t think I would see you so soon with an answer.”
“No, I actually came here to ask about Elle. I haven’t seen her inn about two days,”
The old lady’s smile wilted away. “Elle has been sick.
“She’s sick!” Feng worriedly clenched her skirt. ‘Fuck, how could I not realise this. That little kid might have been so scared to see me drown that she got sick.’ she glanced up at her. “Can I see her?”
“She will be happy for you to visit.” the lad closed up all her documents.
“Oh, but I can go on my own. I don’t want to disturb your work,” Feng urgently said.
The old lady caressed her cheeks and slightly pinched it. “I have to see her too, you know,”
Slightly embarrassed by this Feng chuckled. “Sorry, I completely forgot about that.”
The old lady held out her hand, and Feng took it with a smirk.
While they were walking to the room, Feng glanced at the old lady’s hands. It was covered in ink marks and calluses near her index finger stood. ‘She is used to writing a lot,’ she thought to herself.
The old lady noticed her sight. She let go and slightly caressed her ink stains. “How bad of me to present myself like this. My pen has been acting up lately. I guess it’s time to get a new one,” she chuckled.
Feng held her hand voluntarily. “It’s not a problem at all. Ink can always be washed,” she mumbled softly.
This was the first time she even held such warm hands. All these years of cold handshakes and cordial meeting never stood out. But this moment when she held this kind of old lady’s hand etched deep in her mind.
‘It’s warm.’ her eyes started to tear up a bit. She glanced up at the sky, letting the tears disappear. ‘Why am I acting like a kid?’
“We are here.” the lady let go of her tiny hand and opened the door.
Feng walked into the dark room with a frown. “Why is it so dark in here?” she glanced at the window the curtains were pulled in completely. She rushed to the bed and glanced in.
Little Elle laid there snoring slightly. Her usually healthy cheeks looked pink. She gently touched her.
Elle woke up immediately. “Meimei, Meimei,” she cried softly in her sleep.
“I’m here, I’m here.” Feng held her hand and sat next to her on the bed.
Lady Hiliana pulled the sheets closer to Elle’s chin and kissed her forehead. “I have been a bad parent figure to them. It’s really hard finding time to spend with them and with the business,” she mumbled tiredly. “But without them I don’t think I could have lived,”
Feng glanced at her. “You are doing a wonderful job, lady Hiliana. Both Alvin and Elle are the sweetest kids I’ve ever met,”
Lady Hiliana chuckled loudly. “Don’t let those boys hear you. They would probably pout and huff all day.”
Imagining this, Feng laughed loud. “Yeah, they both are quiet attached to me,”
As she was conversing with the lady, she felt a small movement. She glanced down to see Elle’s eyes wide open. “Oh Elle.” Feng hugged her tight. “Does it hurt anywhere?”
The little girl blankly glanced at her. Soon her eyes started to tear up.
“What is it? Is it your head?” Feng slowly massaged her head.
Elle shook her head. “It’s gone..... I don’t see any more. I don’t see.” she started sobbing loudly.
Even lady Hiliana was quite surprised. “What don’t you see, my dear? Tell grandma,”
“I don’t see it. She is dead because of me!! ahhhh!!” she loudly cried, burrowing her head in the pillow. “I killed her,”
“Elle, it’s me. I’m here. I’m not dead.” she tried to hold her hand, but the kid refused to. She worriedly glanced at the old lady.
“Feng, can you bring some hot soup for Elle. It loos like she is still dreaming.” she patted her cheeks.
Feng ran out the door throwing worried gazed in the room.
After she left, lady Hiliana sighed loudly. “Elle darling, can you look at grandma?”
Elle peaked out.
“She is still there.” she whispered. “She is still there darling,” she kissed her cheeks.
“No, I don’t see mother anymore. I don’t see her. Grandma, it’s because of me. I killed her,” Elle cried loudly, hugging her tight.
“Oh baby, you did not. I asked the mage to lock her soul image, that’s all. She is still inside.” Small tear rolled down her wrinkled face. She swiftly wiped it away.
Elle glanced up doubtfully. “She is?”
“Yes, I asked a powerful mage to lock her soul image.” She wiped Elle’s wet cheeks.
“Why?” the little girl’s lips started trembling.
“Because.....” lady Hiliana cupped Elle’s face. “Because being different would bring danger to her.”
Elle immediately wiped her tears away. “Then it’s okay. I don’t want Meimei in danger,”
Lady Hiliana smiled. “That’s my girl,”
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