"Papa…? Is that you…?" Eiran sat up on the bed, his eyes still closed, slowly rubbing one of them as if trying to clear away the last traces of sleep.
Zayden immediately stiffened.
What was he supposed to tell him? Surely, just like last night, Eiran would ask for his papa again…
And as if the gods themselves had taken pity on him, a knock suddenly echoed at the door.
The General quickly forced a grin onto his face, though it looked awkward no matter how hard he tried to make it seem natural.
Eiran noticed the stiffness in his father's shoulders, but he chose not to point it out. Something was wrong—terribly wrong—but he couldn't quite understand what it was. For now, all he could do was wait until Zayden decided to tell him the truth.
Or… he could find out on his own.
That thought was already forming in the little boy's mind as Zayden excused himself and stepped out of the room.
The moment the door shut behind him, the forced smile vanished.
