"Arlo."
"Professor." Arlo nodded to her, his voice low. "I didn't know you were here."
"I heard the news." Cecilia said solemnly. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Arlo swallowed but said nothing. He simply closed the door behind him, walking deeper into the ward.
Noah was confused. Arlo had lost someone? Who?
But before he could ask, Cecilia stood abruptly.
"Let me give you both some privacy." She turned to Noah, giving him a smile. "Rest well."
Then, she left.
Arlo stood beside Noah's bed, both of them silent as the door clocked shut behind them.
"It's my father." Arlo suddenly said.
Noah blinked in surprise.
"My father died fighting against the dragon last night." Arlo clarified.
There was a moment of silence.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Noah finally said.
"It's okay." Arlo grinned.
That was what he was saying but Noah could see that he was not okay. As much as he wasn't close to Arlo as he'd been before, he could tell that the man was struggling with his father's death.
