His eyes flicked over my rain-soaked form with disdain. “You look like a drowned rat."
That erupted laughter from his own men.
As if embarrassed, he yanked my wrist and dragged me outside. When we were out of the room, he hissed.
"You’re embarrasing me, Celes. Don’t ever come to my office again.”
Now, lying in bed beside him, the memory of that day stung anew. The humiliation, the cold dismissal—it all came rushing back, a painful reminder of the disdain he had shown her. She had been drenched and humiliated, her sincere effort ignored and ridiculed.
Shaking off the painful recollection, Celes rose from the bed and prepared a mixture of herbal tea and an ointment for Andros’s stomachache. The process was familiar and comforting, a connection to her mother’s teachings and the promise of a new beginning under Old Sage’s mentorship.
"Here, drink this. It will help."
As she handed the remedies to Andros, he looked at her with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
“Where did you learn this?” he asked, taking the cup of tea and sniffing it cautiously. “This is the first time you’ve done something like this.”
Celes shrugged. “Sage taught me.”
As the days unfolded, Celes found herself increasingly absorbed by her new role as Old Sage’s apprentice. The knowledge she was gaining from the esteemed healer filled her with a sense of purpose she had not felt in years. Each day brought new lessons and insights, and the work rekindled a spark within her that had long been extinguished by the weariness of her troubled marriage.
Yet, the satisfaction she found in her new position was marred by the growing tension between her and Andros. He had begun to show an overt disdain for her apprenticeship, a resentment that simmered beneath the surface. His discontent was palpable, though he masked it with a veneer of indifference.
One afternoon, as Celes was studying in the healer’s quarters, she received a mindlink from Andros. He mentioned that he would pick her up later and that they would go somewhere. When she asked where he was now, he replied that he was still at the Consul's meeting and that the investigation regarding Faelan was still ongoing. Celes, feeling indifferent, simply said okay and cut the link.
Later, Ales called her to say hello, her voice cheerful as always.