Third Person’s POV
Upon arriving in the capital, Craig learned he was to sketch Caldwell.
Caldwell apologized, exining he should have traveled to Shadow Peaks himself, but was tied down by pressing matters.
With a hint of amusement in his eyes, he added, “Besides, I’ve been meaning to catch up with Adide<b>. </b>
Craig was grateful to Caldwell for securing his release<b>, </b>and thus, he was more than willing to amodate Caldwell’s requests<b>. </b>
However, upon hearing Caldwell’s specific ask, he frowned slightly. “This method isn’t <b>very </b><b>urate</b>. Without a childhood portrait of her, relying solely on your description to create a sketch, and then extrapting her current appearance from that, I’d be lucky to achieve thirty percent uracy.*
Caldwell acknowledged the challenge.
After a moment of thought, he suggested, “How about I sketch a rough outline <b>first</b>, and then we <b>can </b><b>refine </b>the details with your input?”
Craig looked at him and said, “You’ve already forgotten what she looks like, haven’t you?”
Caldwell’s expression turned pained. “I always thought I’d never forget. But when I try to recall her features, all I can see are blurred smiles and her running toward me, calling out me. As for her exact appearance, I can’t conjure clear details.”
“You’re right, you wouldn’t be able to draw her either,” Craig said.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it. It’s been over a decade. Forgetting is natural. Moreover, it’s a painful memory. Our brains tend to avoid pain, so it’s no surprise you’re struggling to recall specifics.”
He patted Caldwell’s shoulder reassuringly. “But if she stood in front of you as a child, you’d recognize her in an instant. People change as they grow, especially women, whose faces can alter significantly with age<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“But don’t worry,” Craig continued. “Tell me whatever you remember, especially the facial structure and shape. Remember, the bone structure is crucial. Also, any distinctive features on her face, like moles or birthmarks, peculiarities of her eyebrows, and whether she was plump or thin as a child. Share all that with me.”
Caldwell turned to Lance and Adide and said, “You two can leave now.”
Lance immediately took Adide’s/hand <i>and </i>stood up, heading for the door. “Let’s go to Yellowstone,” he
said.
Adide nced at the overcast/sky. “But <i>it </i>looks like it might rain.”
Lance was frustrated. If it rained, they wouldn’t get to see the Yellowstone sunset,
This n had been dyed for so long without <b>sess</b>.
“How about we visit Melinda instead?” Adide suggested.
“Rainy days can be a bit mncholic. Let’s bring some cheer to her ce. We can invite Prisci <b>along </b><b>and </b>send word to Zelda too.”
Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Lance swallowed his carlier retort about not bringing Prisci <b>and </b><b>said</b>, “Alright, as long as it makes you happy.”
Prisci was thrilled at the prospect of going out. Previously, when Paisley had free time, she would take
her out.
But now that Paisley was often with Melinda, Prisci was practically stir–crazy.
At the mention of visiting Melinda, she was naturally delighted.
She had Susan prepare a multitude of nutritional supplements. Regardless of whether Melinda could consume them all, she insisted on bringing everything over.
“To be honest, I don’t like Luna Skye,” she said. “But Melinda’s been a sweet girl since childhood, endearing to everyone. It’s heartbreaking to think of what she’s been through, and that child… born into such a <b>fate</b>, not even getting a chance to see the world. It’s truly disheartening.”
Her voice wavered with emotion.
As a mother, she couldn’t bear to hear or witness such things.
She couldn’t fathom how Luna Skye could be so unfeeling.
Susan reminded her, “Don’t mention any of this in front of Melinda. We don’t want to upset her and make her cry.”
“I’m not foolish enough to rub salt in her wounds,” Prisci retorted with a nce.
“Do you take me for someone utterlycking in tact?”
Susan smiled and ttered her, “Of course not! You’ve always been kind–hearted and protective of Melinda. You wouldn’t bring up anything sorrowful or deliberately offer emptyfort. You’d simply chat with her about everyday matters.”
Prisci hummed in agreement, though inwardly she thought, “What about all theforting words I’ve prepared? How disappointing it would be not to share them.”
She had hoped to encourage Melinda to move past her pain and look forward to the future.
Noticing Prisci’s confusion, Susan added, “Given what Melinda has endured, it’s not something most people experience. Adide once said we shouldn’t disturb her and should let her have her space. Enough time has passed; it’s time to bring some cheer into her life. Otherwise, holding it all in could lead to illness<b>.</b>”
“Got it. Let’s hurry up and catch up,” Prisci said hastily.”
Melinda was already much improved. Apanied <i>by </i>Georgina and Paige, she would take short <b>walks </b><b>in </b>the courtyard.
Paisley had been visiting for two out of the past three days. It wasn’t that she didn’t <b>trust </b><b>Georgina </b><b>and </b>Paige to look after Melinda; rather, she felt there was little else she could do to help.
Her heart ached for Melinda, prompting her frequent visits.