"That's nobility to you," Owen suddenly chimed in from the bed, raising a jiggling slime-hand like a wise old scholar.
Axelius rolled his eyes, but before he could retort, Ellory stepped closer and gently took his hand.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, Brother," she said sweetly. "Let me help you."
She tugged lightly, but Axelius didn't move. Instead, he looked down at her small fingers wrapped around his own, and with a quiet sigh, gently pulled his hand away.
"I understand that you came here to apologize," he said, his tone soft but distant. "But now that you've done that… why are you doing this?"
Ellory's hand dropped to her side. For a heartbeat, her eyes trembled. A flicker of sadness passed through them, but she quickly forced a bright smile back onto her face.
"I'm just worried, Brother," she said, tilting her head a little. "You were injured. And Uncle Van said you're malnourished, that you need to eat more healthy food."
Axelius blinked. "Van?"
