Chapter 15: Kafka's Departure
As the morning passed, in the garden filled with light and soft songs, around a dining table sat the family of three, each seated with various and diverse dishes placed before them.
As Kafka observed the dishes in front of her, she asked curiously, "With the church being so empty, don't tell me you were the one who cooked all this?" But without waiting a second, she picked up her fork and ate the food before her.
After the first bite, the flavor entered her mouth and her eyes widened in astonishment at the taste.
Seeing how shocked she was by the flavor, Adam smiled and answered her question, "You are absolutely right, it was indeed me who cooked."
After that confirmation, he asked the two women around the table in return, "Do you like the dishes? These are specialties of Solaria, you will not find them anywhere else but here."
Before Kafka could reply, Elara, as energetic as ever and who had already started eating, answered, "Wow Dad, I didn't know you could cook too, it's really good, even better than Mom's."
In her excitement, Elara compared the food of her two parents. It was only at the end that she realized her mistake and placed her hands over her mouth.
Seeing her like that, Kafka let out a small laugh and displayed a smile that did not quite reach her ears. With a threatening look, she asked her daughter in a gentle and charming voice, "So my baby thinks Mommy's food is not as good as Daddy's?"
Even though she was only teasing her, Elara, who did not know that fact, panicked and moved her hands in defense. She stammered, "N-no, th-that's not what you think."
She immediately added with zeal and conviction, "Your food is also extremely good." After that statement, which seemed to have taken one hundred percent of her confidence, she lowered her head and began eating quietly.
Seeing this cute action from her daughter, Kafka decided not to tease her anymore and continued eating while occasionally glancing at Adam, who was simply smiling.
'During my day here with him, I have been able to observe and conclude many things. For example, his lack of emotion is not simply that he is cold or distant by nature, he is just emotionally empty,' while observing Adam from the corner of her eye as she ate, she fell into deep thought.
But unknown to her, Adam was also calmly observing Kafka, who ate in a very elegant manner.
'There is also something strange about this planet. Five years ago, I came here because there were signs of a Stellaron, but when we arrived there was nothing left, as if it had vanished from the surface, and then I became pregnant.' Lost in her thoughts, Kafka continued her analysis, this time about the planet itself.
'But also, its environment has nothing to do with what it was 5 years ago, and all these changes come from him. Ever since he proclaimed himself the messenger of the Sun God, everything changed. His hold over the planet has tightened drastically, he could literally call himself the emperor of Solaria at this point.'
Despite her doubts, she could not find a reason behind this mystery, whether it was the planet or her dear "husband." But she did not rush and simply continued eating her lunch calmly.
Throughout the whole time, Elara said nothing, but unknown to everyone, or so she believed, she was gripping the end of her dress with all her strength and thought, 'I know she is busy because of her work and that she cannot stay here forever... but I wish she could stay longer.'
Despite her inner sadness, she said nothing, nor did she ask her mother to stay longer, and simply remained silent.
Adam, who until then had simply been in spectator mode, finally spoke. As he gently set down his fork, he said while looking at the mother and daughter, "What would you say to taking a family photo, all three of us together, as a memory?"
After asking that question, he said nothing more and simply observed their reactions. Upon hearing his suggestion of taking a family photo together, all 2 of them quickly raised their eyes toward him.
Her violet eyes, similar to Kafka's, shone with joy and anticipation at the news. Despite not saying a word, everyone present could see her excitement.
Kafka, for her part, said nothing, but closed her eyes for a second before opening them again, her charming smile returning before she nodded upon seeing her daughter's eyes.
Adam stood up and said one word, "Alright." As he moved forward, his white robe shifting slightly because of the wind, Kafka and Elara also stood up.
The difference was that Kafka walked slowly while Elara ran with small steps to reach her father.
As the three of them stood side by side, with Elara in front at the center between her parents with a radiant smile on her face, while Kafka and Adam stood with their arms touching, both smiling in their own way.
All three looked at the lens before them, still in the garden but this time in front of the fountain. The camera flashed, and the photo was taken.
Looking at the image of the photo taken, Elara's smile grew wider as she laughed with happiness.
Adam and Kafka looked at each other before Kafka whispered into his ear, "You did it for her, I didn't know you had such a tender heart, my dear."
Faced with Kafka's simple teasing, Adam said nothing and continued observing in silence, but at the moment Kafka turned back to look at Elara, she heard Adam say, "Don't forget our contract."
At Adam's words, Kafka's eyes trembled for an instant and she looked at him from the corner of her eye without saying anything, but she crossed her arms and pouted.
But feeling Adam's persistent gaze, she turned back, gave a wink, and assured him confidently, "Trust me, I will not break a contract made under the eyes of an Aeon."
As she looked at her phone, she noticed that the time for her departure had arrived. As she turned toward Adam, she kissed him on the cheek. Adam said nothing and remained passive. Seeing that, Kafka remarked to him, "You really like your attitude of observation and passivity."
Still silent, Adam simply watched Kafka walk away to say goodbye to Elara.
As he watched the mother and daughter talk and say their farewells, Adam did not approach. He thought, 'I am passive and observant... since when have I become like this? I never paid attention to my state because I already knew the stakes and the consequences of my powers...'
Now Kafka simply left without looking back. Adam did not move and merely remained behind. Kafka's footsteps echoed through the silent church, her back disappearing little by little until she was completely gone.
As Elara tightly held the camera, Adam still looked at the space where Kafka had just disappeared.
Now only the silent father and the daughter crying silently remained, Kafka's departure making the scene even more silent.
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Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well. Honestly, I did not think I would make it this far, and all of your messages make me happy and motivate me.
I just want to let you know that the update schedule will change because my vacation is over. So I will post from Monday to Friday at random times if I can, but new chapters will come out on the weekend.
Thank you for your support so far.