The next morning, Nova woke up early. He got out of his room and made his way to the kitchen, where he saw his dad preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, Dad! Want me to help?"
"Good morning, son. It's okay, I can manage. How about you go for your run while I make breakfast?"
"Alright! Thanks, Dad." Nova grinned and rushed to his parents' room, where his mom was still lying in bed. He stood beside her.
"Good morning, Mom!"
"Good morning, son. Going out?"
"Yeah. I'm going for my run. Dad said breakfast will be ready when I get back."
"Alright," she said, patting his head. "Don't overexert yourself."
"Yeah, I know, Mom. I'm going now."
Elaine smiled as she watched him leave. Nova dashed outside, running through the village before returning home, panting slightly.
Ha… ha…
He could feel his stamina had increased. When he first started training, even a short run would leave him completely exhausted.
"Hey, Dad! I'm back."
"Alright. Take a seat at the table; I'm bringing your breakfast."
Nova sat, waiting. Soon, Joren returned with a plate of omelette and a glass of milk.
"So, how was your run? First time going alone," Joren said, taking a seat.
"It was fun. Though it's more fun with you, Dad."
"Haha. It's okay, just for a few weeks. Anyway, eat your food. I'm heading out to take care of some hunting jobs and will go to the main market in the evening to get ingredients for dinner. I can take you with me if you want, maybe even buy you something."
Nova's eyes gleamed. "The market?! Yes! I'll be ready!"
Joren chuckled. "Alright. I'll take my leave now. Bye." He went inside his room, grabbed a pouch and his dagger, strapped it to his waist, and left.
"Bye, Dad." Nova quickly finished his breakfast, took a short rest, then went out to the lawn to continue his exercises.
After training, he took a bath and stayed with his mother for a while.
A knock at the door interrupted him. Nova ran to open it, expecting his dad, but instead saw a woman in her sixties.
"Hello, little one. I'm a nurse appointed by Mr. Joren to take care of his expecting wife, Mrs. Elaine."
"Oh! So you're the nurse Dad was talking about. Please, come in."
The woman entered quietly, her soft linen robes brushing the floor. A pale green sash tied at her waist, and a thin white scarf kept her hair neatly in place. She carried a small pouch of herbs at her side, her calm smile as gentle as her hands.
"Follow me," Nova said, guiding her to his mother's room.
Elaine raised her neck slightly. "Oh, it's you, Miss Maela. Welcome. I've been expecting you."
Nova looked between his mother and the nurse. "Uh… you know her, Mom?"
Elaine smiled. "Yes, I do. She is Miss Maela. Everyone in the village respects her—she's the only nurse we have, and she's delivered many babies. We see her often whenever we go out."
"Oh… so I thought maybe you'd get a new friend… but you already know this old lady," Nova said.
"Hey, Nova. Don't say that—it's rude. Besides, I enjoy her company. Thank you for being concerned for me, though," Elaine replied.
Maela chuckled. "Haha, it's alright, Elaine dear. The child is right—I am old compared to young mothers like yourself. Now, before we talk, let me prepare some herbal tea for you. It will ease the discomfort and make you feel better."
"Oh, alright, Miss Maela. Thank you."
"Haha, don't thank me. It's my job. I'm being paid for it," she said. Both women chuckled as Maela went to the kitchen.
Elaine smiled at Nova. "Go help Miss Maela with whatever she needs."
Nova nodded and ran to the kitchen.
Nova stood beside her, quietly watching as she moved around the kitchen, picking and arranging utensils with practiced ease.
"So… what does your husband do, Old Lady Maela?" he asked.
Maela's eyes softened. "My husband passed away ten years ago… from an illness."
"Oh… it must have been hard, losing someone you love," Nova said, his voice quiet.
Maela looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled gently. "Yes, it was… very hard, dear."
Nova fell silent, lost in thought. He wondered how it truly felt to lose someone close. The thought alone made him uneasy.
"What are you thinking, little one? You don't need to worry about anything. Your dad and mom are strong and young. You were sent to help me, but I can manage alone. Go play if you want," Maela said kindly.
"No, it's okay," Nova replied, snapping out of his thoughts. "Besides, I'm going to the market with Dad today, so I won't be playing with my friends."
"Very well, as you wish. Could you fetch my herbal bag? I left it in your mom's room."
"Alright." Nova ran to his mother's room and brought the bag to Maela. He helped her prepare the tea and listened to her and his mom chat.
Evening fell. Another knock came at the door. This time, Nova knew it was his dad. He rushed to open it and saw Joren, a small pouch in hand, his sword dagger at his waist.
"Welcome home, Dad!" Nova exclaimed, running to hug him.
Joren chuckled. "Now, now, let me enter first."
"When will we leave for the market, Dad?" Nova asked eagerly.
"Haha, don't worry. Let me put my things down, check on your mom, and have a little rest. Then we'll go."
"Alright!" Nova's excitement did not fade.
Joren went to Elaine, with Nova following.
"Good evening, Miss Maela," Joren greeted as he placed his dagger in his shelf.
"Good evening, Joren. Your wife is doing fine. You don't need to worry," Maela replied calmly.
"Oh, well, all thanks to you, Miss Maela. Now then, I must head to the market."
"No need to be modest. Go do your work. I'll take care of Elaine," she said.
"Haha, alright then. Time to go, Nova."
Nova's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Let's go!"