Chapter 5 : Grim's Cruel Mercy
Grim and Lyra are standing outside the house.
Grim is holding Lyra's hand while Lyra is holding the groceries in her other hand. She places the groceries on the ground and starts crying, trying her best to hold back her sobs and not make a sound.
Tears are streaming down her face, and her shoulders are trembling.
Grim notices her crying. Though his expression remains harsh, there's a flicker of concern in his eyes.
Without much gentleness, he wipes her tears away and says, "You're annoying me again. If you cry again, it'll be you who gets beaten by me." His tone is cold, but it's his own way of comforting her.
Then, to Lyra's shock and embarrassment, Grim suddenly lifts her up in one arm like she's just a child. She's nineteen years old, and he's twenty-three, so being carried like that leaves her stunned.
But she's also too weak and exhausted to protest, so she lets him carry her.
In her vulnerable state, Lyra wraps her arms around Grim's neck, hugging him from behind for support.
That small gesture catches Grim off guard, but he doesn't say anything about it. He just tightens his hold on her slightly and starts heading home.
Once they reach home, Grim notices that no one else is around. Their mother is resting in her room, and Raven is likely still asleep in his own.
Grim tries to wake Lyra, but she's already fallen asleep in his arms. Rather than disturb her, he carefully takes her inside, puts the groceries and fruits in the kitchen, and then carries her to her own room.
He gently places her on her bed and covers her with a blanket. After making sure she's settled, Grim heads back to his own room, not saying a word.
Meanwhile, Raven eventually wakes up. As he stretches and gets out of bed, he walks into the kitchen and sees the groceries neatly placed there.
He wonders briefly if Lyra went to the market alone or if she went with their mother. The thought crosses his mind, but he doesn't dwell on it.
What feels strange to him, though, is that everyone else seems to be asleep. It's unusual for his mother to still be sleeping at this hour.
Feeling something isn't right, Raven heads toward his mother's room to wake her up.
He knocks on her door gently, but there's no response. So, he slowly opens the door and steps inside, finding the room dimly lit with curtains drawn.
His mother is lying peacefully on her bed, still asleep. Raven softly calls out, "Mother... are you awake?"
Raven approaches his mother, his gaze lingering on her frail form. She looks beautiful as always, but also terribly weak and pale, her breathing soft and shallow.
The sight twists something deep inside him, but he forces himself to sound casual as he gently taps her shoulder.
"Mother, it's already late. Why aren't you awake?" he says, trying to keep his voice steady, not wanting her to hear the worry hidden beneath.
As Raven's soft voice reaches her, his mother stirs, her eyes slowly fluttering open.
For a moment, her gaze is distant before settling on him with a gentle smile.
"Oh, Raven... I must have overslept. I'm sorry, dear." Her voice is weak but warm, carrying that soothing tone he's always known.
"You should be more careful," Raven says, trying to sound annoyed but failing. "You've been looking... tired lately."
She chuckles softly, the sound frail but genuine. "Just feeling a little weary. Nothing to worry about. But thank you for waking me up."
Raven watches as she slowly sits up, her movements careful and delicate.
It bothers him how easily she gets tired these days, but he keeps the concern locked away. "Go get freshened up. I'll be in the kitchen," he says, his voice gruff as he leaves her room, not waiting for her response.
Once his mother washes her face and tidies herself up, she heads to the kitchen.
Raven is already sitting at the dining table, his gaze distant as if lost in thought.
The morning light casts soft shadows around them, and despite everything, this simple, quiet moment feels almost peaceful.
His mother moves around the kitchen, her steps slow but steady as she gathers ingredients.
She cracks a couple of eggs into a bowl, beating them with a touch of salt and spices before pouring them into a hot pan.
The sizzle fills the air, blending with the quiet clatter of her preparing bread on the side.
"An omelette and some fresh bread should do for now," she says with a gentle smile, her voice sounding a bit stronger now that she's up and moving. The aroma of cooking fills the air, and despite his worries, it's comforting.
As she works, she glances over her shoulder at Raven. "So, what plans do you have for today? Do you have some work to do?"
Raven shrugs, leaning back in his chair. "No, not really. But... I might look for a part-time job if something decent comes up."
His mother's expression softens, her eyes filled with appreciation. "You're always looking out for us. Just don't overwork yourself, alright? You're still so young."
Raven just nods, not meeting her gaze. He feels the weight of the lie settling in his chest.
She doesn't know the truth of what he's been doing. And he intends to keep it that way.