Meical was walking back to the study, already rehearsing what he needed to ask the physician, when he saw Odysseus coming toward him from the same direction.
The man was hurrying, his steps quick and tense, but he still bowed properly when he reached Meical.
"Master.." Odysseus said, slightly out of breath, "I have unexpected news. Your family have arrived at the estate and are demanding to see you."
Meical stopped.
For a moment he didn't react, as if the words hadn't fully reached him.
"My family?" he asked, voice low. "You're joking. Tell me this is one of your silly games, Odysseus."
Odysseus shook his head immediately. "I wouldn't joke about this, master. They are here. All of them. They're waiting."
Meical felt something cold settle in his chest. Ten years of staying away, ten years of silence, and now they appeared without warning.
He wasn't ready to see them.
He wasn't ready for anything involving them, not today.
