The Warmth Before the Cold

"..."

"Right then, are you feeling hungry, Elias?" Alice asked softly, placing her warm palms against my cheeks.

"Oh, sister, of course he is. Just look how frail he looks!" Karen exclaimed with a dramatic shake of her head, her hand resting gently over mine in concern.

"Where are those maids!?"

As if summoned by her words, the squeaking of rolling wheels echoed outside the room. A food cart, its long cloth barely grazing the floor and hiding the wheels, entered through the door.

Atop was a yellow broth, still steaming, its savoury aroma curled into the air. Beside it sat a glass jug, half full of water, along with a small matching cup. In the centre was a domed silver food cover, undoubtedly concealing the main dish.

"I-I'm terribly sorry for the delay, young miss," Clara stammered as she pushed the cart forward.

"It's fine. Just hurry, Clara, my dear brother is starving for his dear life," Karen said, dismissing the maid with a wave of her hand.

As Clara wheeled the cart forward, a soft crack sounded beneath it. Her eyes darted downward. Shattered porcelain glinted beneath the cart’s wheels, remnants of the earlier scuffle. She raised a hand to her mouth in dismay.

"Oh! Did something happen here, young miss?"

"Ah, yes. That idiotic brother of ours threw one of his usual tantrums again," Karen replied with a huff. "Just pass us the food, Clara, we’ll feed Elias from here. You can focus on cleaning the mess instead."

"Right away, ma'am." Clara obeyed, quickly positioning the cart beside my bed before hurrying off to fetch her cleaning supplies.

"Now then, what would you like to eat first, Elias?" Alice asked sweetly, lifting the utensils.

"I-I’m fine! I can do it myself, thank you… sister," I said sheepishly.

My shy tone made both girls squeal with delight.

— Maybe Elias’ life wasn’t so bad after all...

"Now now, there is no need to be shy, Elias," Alice cooed. "Here, drink this broth. It will help you replenish your energy."

She dipped the spoon into the broth, blew on it gently, and brought it toward my lips.

"Say ‘aaah’".

I hesitated, eyes cast downward. I could not bring myself to open my mouth; I was embarrassed, being treated like a helpless child, despite having lived far longer than the two affectionate figures before me.

"If you don’t eat," she pouted, "your sister will be very upset."

"..."

I gave in. I had no choice, and honestly, I couldn’t have managed on my own anyway. My body simply did not possess the strength for even the simplest tasks.

I opened my mouth. The broth slid in, warm and creamy, melting across my tongue. My eyes widened at its taste; it was soft, savoury, and rich, and gently its warmth wrapped around my body.

"Do you like it?" Alice asked with a smile.

"Yes, sister," I murmured.

"No fair, sister!" Karen suddenly complained, clearly feeling left out. She whipped off the silver dome, revealing a thick, perfectly-seared steak. With swift grace, she sliced it into neat portions.

"Here, Elias, have some bison steak. It'll help you recover faster," she said proudly, lifting a piece with her fork.

I took a bite.

"!"

Within seconds, the juice burst across my tongue in waves of umami and spice.

Heaven. Absolute heaven.

"Do you like it, Elias? Fufufu," Karen giggled playfully.

"Y-Yes, sister!" I blurted out, utterly captivated by the taste.

The sisters continued to take turns feeding me, smiling each time I gave in to their care.

As I began to slow down, Alice leaned in and asked gently, "Do you need help with the chamber pot too before we go?"

Flustered, I shook my head. "N-No, I can manage!"

"Alright then, hehe. But if you need anything, don’t hesitate, alright?" she said, brushing my hair aside affectionately.

They both leaned down to hug me softly.

Karen lingered. Her arms tightened for a moment longer than Alice’s. Her voice was quieter when she spoke.

"Mmmhhh...I don’t want to leave! Can't we just stay a bit longer, Alice?"

Alice placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Don't be stubborn, Karen. We need to let Elias rest. Surely, we'll see him again soon.”

With one last look, Karen followed her twin out of the room, and the soft click of their heels faded into the corridor.

But just before they disappeared, I caught a glimpse of something unexpected, a sorrowful expression. Their eyes were downcast, and the warm smiles from earlier had completely vanished.

"..."

Clara soon arrived, her quiet presence grounding the room. She knelt gracefully to sweep up the shards of porcelain, her movements silent and well practised. Then, with one hand, she pulled the food trolley while guiding the mop cart away with the other.

“I will be taking my leave, Master,” she said gently. “Please let me know if you require anything.”

From her pocket, she retrieved a small golden bell and placed it on the table beside my bed. “If you kindly ring this bell, then either I or another maid will be here to attend you.”

“Thanks, Clara,” I murmured, offering a faint smile.

She smiled back, then departed with her usual professionalism.

"..."

Days turned into weeks. Weeks into months.

Slowly, I recovered. I began regaining control over my body, walking again without too much pain. Clara remained a constant presence in my healing, while Tessa visited occasionally, often with Clara by her side.

But the sisters, Alice and Karen, who had once cared for me so joyfully… never returned

Not even once.

Their parting gaze etched me with sorrow, lingering in my mind like a ghost I couldn’t shake.

I often found myself sitting in silence, resting against the bedframe, pondering about it deeply.

There was so much I did not know about myself, my family, and this household.

Had I taken their kindness for granted?

Was I truly living this new life, or merely drifting through it?

Why was I here?

Was there a reason I was here at all?

"…"

And no matter how often I asked those questions, the silence never did it once answer back.