This Is a Serious Case

It had probably been ten years since our family had all gathered for a meal.

Just a few months ago, Celine had been a persecuted illegitimate child, I had been a wastrel without equal, and Selena and I had been bitter enemies.

A meal with both Selena and Father present.

Squeak- squeak-

Perhaps because she was nervous, Celine's knife work as she cut her steak was terribly clumsy.

I cut it into bite-sized pieces for her, then went ahead and placed my own portion on Celine's plate too.

"You need to eat plenty while you're growing. You can eat all of your big brother's, too."

I thought she would happily pop it straight into her mouth, but Celine shook her head.

"Big Brother, you need to eat a lot to get better quickly. Have mine, too."

She handed the piece of steak I'd given her back to me...