The Restful Sleep

The boy didn't immediately say anything else.

The rest of the day he was quiet. It seemed like perhaps the uttering had exhausted what energy or bravery he'd had to put forth.And she couldn't blame him.

Speaking at all was a very big step.

He fell asleep leaning on Rache, and she held onto him and napped as well. Darrach stayed still for the both of them, occasionally yawning, but mostly napping himself.

Eventually, a maid arrived with food and they both ate together.

He still didn't say anything about that.

But he looked a little happier. Just a little bit less weighed down.

Maybe she was just projecting her own feelings, but he seemed...

Almost like he'd shared a little secret with her by speaking that one word.

And that little bond. It felt important. That one word felt both trivial and important. She could feel it. As if it had weight.

Though.