strictlysupreme Chapter 95 : Surprise
Chapter 95 : Surprise
"Sister!" The piercing sound of the child's voice echoed throughout the room, breaking the silence with an air of urgency and excitement. A tiny girl, with a determined expression etched on her face, stood on a chair, her hands clutching a handful of colorful stickers.
With her arms stretched to the fullest, she struggled to reach the top of the door, her furrowed brow reflecting her frustration at the challenging task ahead. Despite her persistence, her short stature stood between her and her goal, making her appear even smaller compared to the height of the door.
Several minutes passed in a futile effort to adhere a sticker depicting a fierce dragon, her unsuccessful attempts painting a picture of childlike perseverance. Dressed in a delicate white dress contrasting with the darkness of her little black shoes, her hair adorned with a delicate pink headband, she radiated an irresistible innocence and tenderness.
Elsa was in the same room that had served as refuge for Ema's family during the recent months. As she listened to Ema's energetic cry from the other room, her face lit up with an ironic smile. Clad in a kitchen apron around her waist, and with pastry gloves covering her hands, Elsa was immersed in the fragrant atmosphere emanating from the kitchen.
Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, displaying a practicality that mirrored her commitment to the culinary task at hand. The delicate and tantalizing aroma of strawberry cake filled the air around her, enveloping the room in a cozy and homely aura.
Next to her, Nicol, Ema's mother, shared the same attire as Elsa, indicating a harmonious collaboration in preparing a delicious cake. Together, they were making a beautiful two-tiered cake.
Nicol pursed her lips with a mix of exasperation and tenderness upon hearing her daughter's cry. "I told her she should have waited until we finished baking the cake," she murmured with a hint of reproach.
I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle under my breath, trying to ease the tension. "Don't be too hard on her," I said compassionately. "She's just trying to help. Besides, she's excited because today is the day Anthony returns."
As I mentioned before, today is the day Anthony will return from Zone 3, so we decided to throw a small surprise welcome party. For that, we made a small cake of his favorite flavor. Throughout this time, I felt very lonely; if it weren't for Ema, who came to play with me every evening, I would undoubtedly be very sad.
In the mornings, I always went to the guild to practice my swordsmanship until the afternoon; I never stopped practicing on any of these days.
"I'll be right back," I said with a tone of voice laden with apologies, aware that I didn't want Nicol to scold Ema. I had witnessed her fury in the past, and it was not something I wanted to repeat; her anger was truly terrifying, transforming her into someone I barely recognized. Fortunately, so far, she had only shown that facet of her anger with her husband.
Leaving the pastry gloves on the table with a hurried gesture, I left the room with quick steps. As I entered the hallway, my eyes fell on Ema, who was struggling on a chair to reach the top of the door. Her hands stretched desperately toward her goal, while beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
However, here in the city, we were surrounded by a crowd of people, and this was comforting.
It was a relief to see the vitality and activity on every corner, to be able to interact with other human beings and share moments in community. The mind and senses relaxed knowing that at least we were safe.
We finally arrived at the inn where Elsa and Ema's family were supposed to be. The place looked as familiar as ever, with its cozy and lively atmosphere. Upon entering, I was impressed by the scene unfolding before us: numerous people were sitting, chatting animatedly while enjoying a meal or drink.
It was a comforting sight to see so many people gathered, sharing laughter and conversations in such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We made our way through the tables until we reached the reception, where I addressed the receptionist with a greeting gesture, nodding politely.
Next to the reception, there were spiral staircase leading upstairs. I guided Lysandra towards them, and we began to ascend to the fifth floor. As we climbed, the hallway was lit by lanterns embedded in the walls, emitting a soft and welcoming light of light linen color. The floor was covered by a fine carpet with a decorative design of straight lines, adding a touch of elegance to the atmosphere.
Upon reaching the door of our room, I frowned at the unusual silence that reigned in the hallway, a silence that seemed too oppressive.
Suddenly, a soft and pleasant voice resonated behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Is this where you live with that girl?" she asked with a superficial warmth that did not match the tension I perceived in her eyes. Although her voice sounded friendly, her eyes exuded an unclear and even suspicious intention.
Meanwhile, pretending not to notice the discrepancy between her tone and her gaze, I replied confidently, "Yes, this is it."
With a slow and calculated movement, I opened the door to the room, and suddenly, a thunderous scream echoed throughout the fifth floor.
"SURPRISE!"
My eyes widened as did my mouth; everyone came out of hiding, and confetti filled the air, in the middle of it all was a large strawberry cake.
My lips curved into a smile automatically.
"I'm back"