He could quickly tell that Caretaker Shani was doing her best to eliminate everything that could negatively impact her emotions and work as a Caretaker. However, he couldn't allow her to take this route, as he was sure that if she kept getting rid of them one by one, it could strain her relationship with her son.
After all, above everything, her son must hold the most significant bond and memory between her and her husband.
Wait a minute!
Orion's eyes widened as a wave of understanding hit him. Instantly, his gaze became focused as he directed it at Caretaker Shani.
"Caretaker Shani, the girl I saw earlier, how often does she come here to care for your son?" Orion asked.
Caretaker Shani's behaviour suddenly became slightly suspicious as she responded, "She only started coming a few days ago to take care of Rick while I focus my attention on the farm. I need to properly handle the situation with the crops and the conflict between the tree nymphs and the villagers, which should return to the peaceful way it was before, especially now that Saria has returned to the farm."
"Because I've been a little busy attending to the situation on the farm, she arrives early in the morning after I've fed him his breast milk and stored more for him later. She takes care of him throughout the day until I return home," she said.
However, as she continued to speak, Orion could hear her voice getting fainter and fainter, "...by that time, he has already gone to sleep, so I tuck him in and then prepare for tomorrow."
'Shit,' Orion cursed inwardly.
He berated himself for not noticing it earlier.
If things continued like this in the future, he feared that the strain already building on the relationship between Caretaker Shani and her son could turn her into a cold individual with no attachment to anything around her. Such an outcome would be detrimental not only to herself and those around her but also to the Village and the farm, given her role as one of the key figures.
The mere thought of a cold and expressionless Caretaker Shani made Orion's hair stand on end.
No, he couldn't let that happen!
Instantly, Orion's mind raced, searching for a solution to the dilemma before him.
As if picking up on Orion's thoughts through the momentary silence, Caretaker Shani shook her head wearily.
"It's much more valuable to you as a warrior than to me, so there's no need for you to overthink it," Caretaker Shani said.
"Caretaker Shani," Orion said with a firm expression.
"Are you free tomorrow?" he asked.
Caretaker Shani furrowed her brows before shaking her head.
"No. Why are you asking?" Caretaker Shani responded, observing Orion's serious expression.
"Make time tomorrow, because I plan on taking some of my partners to the Village so we can spend some time together before I leave for the mountains the day after that. Although they haven't given birth yet, which would have been good for Rick, as he will also need some company, I don't think it matters much," Orion responded thoughtfully.
Caretaker Shani's eyes widened, finally realizing what Orion was trying to do. She shook her head with a tired exhale escaping her lips, "But… I'm not sure that the Village Chief would be happy to hear that I have left my position on the farm to take a break in the Village," she responded.
"It's simple. Just send him a message through the Village Chief's messenger and let him know that you would like to take a day's break due to the death of your husband. Then, assign someone you trust to properly handle your section of the farm until you return," Orion suggested.
"But… What if he doesn't find that to be a reasonable excuse?" Caretaker Shani responded, her voice low, her fingers fidgeting restlessly as she held them on her knees together.
Orion knew that the Village Chief would never deny Caretaker Shani a break, especially after the news of her husband's death, but he still snorted in response.
"If he refuses, tell him that Anara advised you to take a break and that you'll join my family in the Village. If he still has any problems, I might decide to look at the Rightward Stronghold and see how the situation is," Orion responded.
He remembered the banter between the Village Chief and Stronghold Leader Zogar in the meeting and couldn't help but feel a little confident as he had finally succeeded in attaining the status he wanted within the Village and now only needed enough strength to back it up.
Caretaker Shani's eyes widened upon hearing Orion's words.
However, she quickly regained her composure, remembering that Orion's status within the Village had risen, possibly even reaching that of the key figures. The only thing he needed now was a seat to solidify his position further.
Realizing there was no way to refuse his request, she nodded. "Alright, tomorrow I will prepare so we can follow you to the Village."
Orion nodded with a smile. "Okay, it's settled," he said, shifting his attention to the bowl of breast milk in front of him.
Slowly bringing it to his lips, he sipped it, enjoying the taste. He couldn't help but think it would pair well with a Kalna fruit.
Nevertheless, within a minute, Orion finished the breast milk from the bowl.
Witnessing this, Caretaker Shani instantly chuckled.
"If you're like this, I don't think your partners would have to worry about wasting breast milk at home," she teased.
Trying to hold back her laughter, she added, "Hold on, let me help you refill it," before stretching her hand to collect the bowl from Orion and bringing it closer to her breast to refill it.
As she did, Caretaker Shani proceeded to recount everything that had taken place in her life since she got back with her son up until now.
Orion listened and conversed with her until it was about time for him to head home.
.....
Author's Note: Time skip in a few chapters.
