Grahamâs heavy coughing echoed through the ancestral temple, a result of days spent in reciting the scriptures.
For days, Graham had knelt from afternoon till morning, and he felt the strain on his knees.
He winced as he rubbed them, trying to alleviate the pain.
Observing his every move, Nala pushed the door of the ancestral temple open and entered.
Grahamâs hand faltered briefly upon hearing Nalaâs high-heeled shoes clicking against the floor.
He then elected to ignore her presence and continue with his task.
Nala approached him, squatted, and studied him.
âArenât you Lucindaâs brother, Mr.
Simmons? Why is she treating you so cruelly?â
Graham remained focused on his writing, disregarding her inquiry.
Nala sighed and said, âI understand itâs a family matter, and I shouldnât pry.
But seeing you endure such suffering is heartbreaking.
â
Graham didnât give her a response.
Nala persisted, âI once heard Lucinda mention something about an illegitimate sister.
Is that why sheâs directing her anger towards you?â
Grahamâs hand abruptly paused.
He turned and stared at her as if to issue a warning.
Even though he maintained a low profile at Peace Mountain without concerning himself with
the outside world, his authoritative presence remained unyielding.
Despite her apprehension, Nala continued, âLucindaâs treatment of you is disrespectful and unfair.
Donât you resent her?â
Outside the ancestral temple, Lucinda could clearly hear the one-sided conversation, and her heart grew heavy with the weight of the words.
Lucinda refrained from entering.
Instead, she stood outside, quietly absorbing the scene within the ancestral temple.
Inside, Graham bowed his head, squinting in the dim candlelight.
His expression, a labyrinth of emotions, remained inscrutable.
Setting the pen aside, he massaged his sore wrist.
Without lifting his gaze, he queried in a deep tone, âWhy should I resent her, huh?â
Nala frowned, âYouâre her brother.
Youâve shielded her for so long.
Even if youâve done something wrong, she shouldnât unleash her fury on you.
Even though sheâs the familyâs head now, havenât you pondered resistance? Reclaiming whatâs rightfully yours?â
Though Nala hailed from Zephyria, her four-year tenure in Cadiered honed her fluency in the local tongue.
Her voice resonated with warmth.
Frowning, Graham shifted his gaze toward her.
As their eyes locked, Nala offered a gentle smile, radiating kindness.
Lucinda observed from the doorway, remaining composed.
In the temple, merely a minute had elapsed since their eye contact.