Chapter 72 A good time
Chapter 72 A good time
Elara stared wide-eyed at the display of domestic staff standing before her.
There were so many of them.
She blinked once, then twice, wondering if she was somehow seeing things wrong.
Beside her, Kael grinned crankily, looking far too pleased with himself.
Elara slowly turned her head toward him.
“What is this?”
Kael shrugged as if the sight before them was completely normal.
“Staff.”
“I can see that,” she replied, still staring at the people in front of her. “But why are there so many of them?”
“Because you need them.”
Elara frowned.
“I need them?”
“Yes.”
She looked back at the display of domestic staff.
She had no idea what to say.
Kael seemed to notice her confusion because his grin widened.
“I told you,” he said. “You're going to have the time of your life while you're here.”
Elara turned toward him again.
“And this is how?”
“This is exactly how.”
She folded her arms.
“I don't need all this.”
“You do.”
“I don't.”
“You do.”
Elara sighed.
Kael looked entirely too stubborn.
“I can take care of myself,” she insisted.
“I know.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Because I don't want you worrying about anything else for now.”
His answer made her pause.
Kael's expression softened slightly.
“You're staying here,” he continued. “And while you're here, I want you to enjoy yourself. You shouldn't have to worry about cleaning, cooking, arranging things, or anything else.”
Elara looked at him silently.
“You have people for all of that now,” Kael said.
She looked at the staff again.
It still felt excessive.
“I don't even know what I'm supposed to do with all these people.”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Exactly.”
Kael leaned slightly toward her.
“You don't have to do anything. That's the point.”
Elara narrowed her eyes.
“You're seriously telling me I'm not supposed to do anything?”
“Yes.”
She stared at him.
Kael stared back.
A small smile eventually tugged at the corner of her lips.
“You're ridiculous.”
“I know.”
“You really went this far just because you don't want me worrying about anything?”
“Yes.”
Elara shook her head.
She couldn't believe him.
Kael had apparently decided that the best way to make sure she enjoyed her stay was to make sure every possible responsibility was taken away from her.
She wasn't sure whether to laugh or complain.
“Don't look at me like that,” Kael said.
“Like what?”
“Like I'm crazy.”
“You are.”
He gave her a look.
Elara laughed softly.
Kael's grin returned.
“See?” he said. “That's better.”
“What is?”
“You're smiling.”
Elara rolled her eyes.
“You're impossible.”
“And you're going to enjoy yourself.”
She glanced toward the staff once more.
“They're really all going to be here?”
“Yes.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
Elara sighed.
“This is too much.”
“It isn't.”
“It is.”
Kael shook his head.
“You're not going to spend your time here worrying about things you don't need to worry about.”
Elara looked at him.
He was completely serious now.
“I want you to rest,” he said. “I want you to enjoy yourself. Whatever you need, you have it. You don't have to think about anything else for now.”
Something about the way he said it made her quiet.
She hadn't expected this.
Kael had clearly thought everything through.
He wasn't asking whether she wanted the help. He had already decided.
Elara looked at the staff again.
Then she looked back at Kael.
“So what exactly am I supposed to do all day?”
Kael smiled.
“Whatever you want.”
“That sounds suspicious.”
“Why?”
“Because you keep saying I don't have to worry about anything.”
“You don't.”
“And you're sure?”
“Completely.”
Elara shook her head.
“You're really serious about this.”
“I am.”
She studied his face for a moment before finally giving in.
“Fine.”
Kael raised an eyebrow.
“Fine?”
“Yes. Fine.”
“You'll let them take care of everything?”
Elara sighed.
“I'll try.”
“Good.”
“But if this becomes too much, I'm sending them away.”
Kael chuckled.
“Deal.”
Elara smiled despite herself.
She still thought the entire thing was excessive.
But perhaps, for once, she could allow herself to stop worrying.
Kael had made his decision.
While she was here, she was going to enjoy herself.
And apparently, he was going to make sure of it.