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Emilia
As they approached the house, Emilia could sense Mimi becoming more and more downcast. She wasn’t talking anymore, and her hold on Emilia’s hand was loosening.
While she was anxious to get to Dyrk before the instructor’s words ruined his whole night, she couldn’t allow Mimi to fold into herself either.
“Hey, is something wrong, Mimi?” Emilia asked as casually as she could, making sure to keep walking with her eyes on the house, so Mimi wouldn’t feel scrutinized.
“I’m sad,” Mimi said.
If only everyone stayed as honest as when they were four.
“I feel sad sometimes too,” Emilia told her. “Why are you feeling sad right now?”
It was hard not to guess, but she figured the girl must miss the other nanny.
“Dyrk is always mad after archery,” Mimi said, surprising her. “Teacher yells at him when Dyrk doesn’t hit his target.”
“Mm,” Emilia agreed lightly, impressed at the little girl’s empathy.
“I didn’t hit my target,” Mimi said softly. “I hit you.”
“But I’m okay, right?” Emilia said.
Mimi nodded slowly.
“Are you afraid the teacher will yell at you, too?” Emilia guessed. “Because you didn’t hit your target?”
Mimi was silent, as if the question might be too scary to answer.
She nodded bravely after a minute, her eyes cast down to her shoes.
Emilia stopped and crouched down so that Mimi could see her face.
“I think the teacher sometimes feels frustrated, because Dyrk doesn’t try his best,” she told Mimi carefully.
Mimi looked up at her and nodded, her eyes wide. That made sense to her.
“But you do try your best,” Emilia said. “What happened today was an accident. I just surprised you, and you turned around, right?”
“Right,” Mimi said, nodding hard.
“Accidents are part of learning,” Emilia told her. “We learn from our mistakes. And now you won’t turn around with your bow up. Right?”
Mimi nodded, sniffling a little.
“That’s really, really good, Mimi,” Emilia praised her. “Now, what do you normally do after archery?”
Mimi suddenly perked up. “After archery, it’s dinner time,” she announced, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
“Oh, that’s really good,” Emilia told her. “Because I’ll bet you’re super hungry. Can you help me find the kitchen so I can get your dinner ready?”
“Yes,” Mimi cried, running for the house.
Emilia jogged along behind her, wincing a little at the bruise forming on her chest, but feeling relieved that they had gotten through their first serious conversation.
Mimi entered one of the large stone archways and waited for Emilia with her hand out.
Emilia smiled and took it, surprised at how quickly that little hand felt at home in hers.
