They spent the rest of the day exploring the estate, and after dinner, Darius decided he needed to rest. He said goodbye to his student and went to bed. Draco simply said that he would go to the forest before going to sleep. Bleist was calm about the boy, although it was puzzling how much the young dragon was drawn to the tranquillity of nature. It was not a problem, of course, but it was extremely interesting.
A quiet knock snapped the mage out of his reverie.
-Please come in - he said loudly enough to be heard on the other side of the door.
One of the maids entered the room and closed the door behind her.
-Her Ladyship requests your presence.- The woman bowed deeply and left as efficiently as she had entered.
Darius glanced at the clock and went to see his mother. He found her room from memory. Since he had been invited, he did not knock but entered immediately. Unexpectedly, a candle was burning inside, so he could see his mother a little better as she sat in a deep armchair opposite the entrance. Her ample dress covered a lot, but Bleist had the impression that the woman had lost weight. Her movements were also more sluggish, performed with even greater effort than before.
-How are you feeling, Mum?- asked the magician, approaching slowly.
-As you can see, Darius.- A slight laugh, or at least a semblance of one, brought back memories of a once smiling face with a flawless smile.- Don't make that face. I'm not laughing because I don't care about my condition, but because I've come to terms with it.
Earl bit his tongue before saying aloud that he hadn't come to terms with it. Although it would have been more accurate to say that he couldn't do it.
-I spoke to the medic...- he began uncertainly.
-I suspect he told you a lot.- His mother interrupted him quietly but firmly.- In my humble opinion, probably too much. However, it's not my health I wanted to talk about.- She pointed to the
