Celia woke first. The room was quiet, pale dawn light seeping through the window. She turned carefully, then froze, her heart skipping a beat as she realized she'd drifted closer to Eliot during the night. As if her sleeping body had sought his warmth on its own. She immediately pulled back, cheeks burning.
"Thank heavens he's still asleep..."
At that exact moment, the door burst open.
"Eliot, get up, Mom's already—" Lilia stopped mid-sentence, rooted to the spot. "What... is this?"
Eliot immediately propped himself up on his elbows, his voice clear and steady:
"This is Celia. I met her in the woods yesterday. She needed shelter for the night. That's all. Nothing happened." Lilia slowly looked from him to Celia, who hastily pulled the blanket higher and gave a small nod. "She's an herbalist," Eliot added. "Can help with Mom's salves. You know her joints have been aching again."
Lilia studied them through narrowed eyes, then snorted quietly:
"Right. Next time, maybe close the door? Unless you want Father to walk in and give you both a lecture." Eliot huffed:
"Thanks for the concern."
"Mom's waiting in the kitchen." Lilia turned on her heel and left, shutting the door behind her. The moment she was gone, Eliot exhaled and dropped back onto the pillow.
"Well. That went fine." Celia peered at him from under her lashes: "You weren't worried at all?"
"Terrified. But stammering would've made it worse. Speak confidently, and people assume you know what you're doing."
"Clever," Celia murmured, still flushed. "Thank you, Eliot."
He met her gaze:
"Come on. You promised to help Mom. And if that goes well... we can visit the town later. Apples, market stalls, all of that." Celia nodded, pulling up her hood:
"Let's go. Just... don't scare me like that again. I thought I'd wake up to the Inquisition at the door."
Eliot smirked:
"Or that I'd turn out to be some kind of pervert?"
"...That was on the list."
"Well, thanks for the vote of confidence."
The kitchen smelled of wheat bread and fried eggs. Eliot's father sat at the table, scowling as usual in the mornings, while the younger siblings. Akira and Alya whispered to each other. Shoko stood by the stove, stirring porridge. When Eliot and Celia entered, the room fell silent. "Is that her?" Alya asked, staring pointedly at Celia.
"Yes," Eliot replied calmly. "This is Celia. She saved me from wolves in the forest."
"What?!" Akira exclaimed, dropping his spoon.
"Joking," Eliot sighed. "She just helped me. She's an herbalist. Thought she might help Mom with her leg pain." Father watched Celia silently, intently, but said nothing.
Celia, avoiding his gaze, whispered softly:
"Good morning..."
"Good morning," Shoko responded warmly. "If you truly know herbs - take a look later. The pain's been back since last night." Celia nodded. Eliot showed her where to sit, and breakfast continued somewhat tense, but without storms. Only Alya kept staring at Celia from time to time.
After breakfast, Celia approached Shoko and asked to see the ointments they normally used. The woman led her to the pantry. Eliot followed.
"This is everything we keep," Shoko explained, opening a creaky cabinet.
Celia carefully examined several bottles, sniffed the contents of one jar, and gave a quiet snort.
"This... isn't ideal. Too much resin, hardly any chamomile. And horsetail? Where's the horsetail?"
"Horsetail?"
"It's an herb. Reduces inflammation, relieves swelling. I'll gather some. And mint too."
She turned to Eliot: "I'll need some time. Can have a better salve ready by noon."
Shoko nodded, surprised.
"Thank you, young herbalist." Celia flushed slightly but nodded in return.
When they stepped outside, the morning sun was already gently illuminating the path. Grasshoppers chirped around them. Celia carried a small basket. "Do I really... belong here?" she suddenly asked. Eliot looked at her. "Yes. You're already helping. And that means a lot." She smiled faintly and stepped forward.
"Let's go."