"Camille, it's nearly nightfall. The whole family is hungry. Go prepare the evening meal," my mother-in-law called.
I didn't answer.
Instead, I looked at Mallory with a faint smile.
"Mallory, you and Henry grew up together. I imagine you spent plenty of evenings eating in this hall."
"Of course," she replied brightly. "Back then, I practically lived here."
I nodded.
"Then after so many years away, you must have missed Mother's cooking."
I turned toward my mother-in-law.
"Mother, shouldn't you prepare a proper welcome feast for Mallory?"
With that, I walked to the firepit and settled into one of the carved wooden chairs.
Moments later, Henry strode over, his expression dark.
"How could you ask Mother to cook? You know she isn't as strong as she used to be. Get up and prepare dinner."
I blinked in surprise.
"Mother, are you ill? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
She glared at me.
"Who said I was ill? I'm perfectly healthy. Stop talking nonsense."
I smiled.
"Then why wouldn't you cook for Mallory? I thought you simply didn't want to."
Her face stiffened.
"Who says I won't?"
Without another word, she disappeared into the kitchens.
Two hours later, the feast was finally prepared.
As everyone gathered around the long table, Nicole eagerly pulled Mallory into my usual seat beside Henry.
"Sister, Mallory is our guest. You don't mind giving her your place, do you?"
My mother-in-law handed me a wooden bowl.
"If the end of the table is too crowded, you can eat in the servants' kitchen. And tidy up afterward."
So even my place at the family table had disappeared.
I set the bowl aside.
"That's unnecessary. An old friend invited me to dine at another hall."
Henry frowned.
"We leave for the pilgrimage tomorrow. You're still going out? Have you even packed your things?"
I looked at him calmly.
"You have two hands. Pack your own belongings."
For a moment, he simply stared at me, speechless.
Then I walked out of the pack hall.
I spent the evening at the Moonfang Tavern, enjoying roasted venison, fresh river trout, honeyed wine, and warm bread beside the great hearth.
Everything was purchased with my own silver.
I stayed until the moon stood high above the forest.
When I finally returned, the pack hall was completely dark.
No one had searched for me.
No one had sent a messenger.
Apparently, they had all gone to sleep without a second thought.
I quietly entered our chamber.
The room was dark.
Feeling my way toward the bed, I had barely sat down when a sharp scream shattered the silence.
"Ah!"
I immediately lit the crystal lantern.
Mallory was lying beneath my furs.
The sight froze my blood.
Before I could stop myself, my hand struck her across the face.
She cried out instantly.
Henry woke at once and pulled her into his arms.
"Camille! Why would you strike her?"
He glared at me.
"We were waiting for you. We talked for a while and accidentally fell asleep. That's all."
I let out a cold laugh.
"So you accidentally fell asleep in our mating bed... holding each other?"
Henry's expression darkened.
"You came back far too late. Mallory stayed to keep me company. We lost track of time. You're making this into something it isn't."
I stepped closer.
"If you were waiting for me, why didn't you send a messenger? Why not wait in the great hall? Why did your conversation have to continue in our private chamber?"
His jaw tightened.
"You're being unreasonable, Camille."
I no longer cared to argue.
I looked directly at Mallory.
"I'm back now."
"You should leave."
"Or were you planning for the three of us to share this bed?"
Mallory ignored my words.
Holding her reddened cheek, she looked pitifully at Henry.
"Henry... it hurts."
His expression immediately softened.
"I'll fetch the pack healer's salve."
