“H-how big is he?” Silvano moved his hands trying to visualise the size of the embryo inside his belly. 

“Give me a second.” Dr. Sherum changed the features on the device. “This should be very close to the actual size of the embryo.” The holographic transmission expanded and the dimensional image got more detailed. Silvano’s eyes almost twinkled with excitement.

“Oh my… un-believable… I don’t even!”

“Yes?” Dr. Sherum was happy to see Silvano so excited and wanted to be helpful. 

“He is bigger than I expected to be existing in my body.” Silvano's hands were trembling as he stretched them toward the transmission to assess the size. “B-but at the same time he’s s-so s-small, tiny…”

“T-this is not harmful for him, is it?” Silvano looked quite worried pointing at the scanning device.

“No, not really. But the scanning shouldn’t be done for too long. As it’s not good for you to be lying on your back for a long time. There is an important artery being pressed in this position. So let’s stop here, okay?”

“Oh! S-sure.” Silvano would never want to do anything that could remotely endanger the baby but also sounded a little lonely. 

“But we regularly do check ups and follow his growth.”

“Yeah?” He started beaming with happiness again. 

“Yes, at least once a week.”

“Then, see you s-soon, l-little baby.” He waved his hand to the hologram and spoke very tenderly. 

“I made a short recording just now. Later I’ll bring a small holograph so that you can look as much as you feel like. I can also show you images of when he was smaller.”

Silvano readily nodded his head as Thesa covered his belly and brought over the tray with food. She patiently waited for him to change the bed position himself, as they realised the hard way that it’s difficult and triggering for Silvano to be handled by other people. 

First several attempts at eating didn’t go well at all. He either choked trying to swallow or felt nauseous and vomited. But they didn’t get discouraged as it was actually an expected result. So they kept encouraging Silvano to stay positive. 

… 

A few days later in the Military Headquarters. 

“That is all for now.” When the Admiral’s commanding voice resounded in the huge conference hall everyone stood up in a unified manner and waited for Admiral Carnage to leave first, followed by Military Assistant Bartel, who was already considered as an extension to the Admiral by everybody. 

They walked down the hallways without exchanging many words, each immersed in their own thoughts. All the way to the designated space for the Admiral’s personal vehicle they were accompanied by greetings and salutes of military personnel and officials. They reached the vehicle, boarded it, and were ready to take off when the Admiral coldly said to Military Assistant Bartel.

“As you can see there are two pilots and a guard here, you don’t need to accompany me.”

Bartel halted in the middle of sitting down in his usual seat opposite Admiral Carnage, then an uncharacteristic smile appeared on his usually emotionless face and spread all the way to his sharp black eyes. With that out of character smile he triumphantly sat down. 

“I will not inconvenience you, Admiral Sir!” With this vague phrase he shifted his gaze outside the windows. 

Admiral Carnage nodded slightly to the pilot who was waiting for a sign to start the engine, and they took off, sitting in an awkward silence. Until the Admiral muttered a phrase. 

“I should have realised it sooner.”

“What, Sir?”

“Your dire need for a time off from work. You have been complaining to me like a broken recorder on a loop, the same thing over and over again for the last 5 days, asking for a half day off. And now when you’re free to do whatever you want, you are still following me. It’s saddening.” 

“I’m overjoyed for your concern about a mere subordinate like myself, Sir. But don’t worry, I’m not losing it, my mental health is in a pretty good state.” Military Assistant Bartel spoke maintaining the same sly smile and changing his posture to a slightly more leisurely one. Admiral Carnage’s face reflected pity and annoyance simultaneously. 

“I’m just sharing a ride as we have matching routes, Admiral Sir! And as you mentioned, I’m free to use my time off duty as I see fit.” Bartel averted his eyes to look out again as the Admiral’s face showed signs of suspicion. But before his superior said anything Bartel spilled the beans with an angry face. 

“How is that even fair? When I, a person who is constantly filled with worries hasn’t yet met the one I care so much about! That worthless Gillian is spending days together with our Silvano, whereas I have no other choice but to beg for this half a day off just to be able to say hello after he finally woke up from a coma. Is this fair, Sir?” 

“You’re dramatising for no reason. And since when did he become our Silvano for you?” 

“From the time I spent sleepless nights investigating his unfortunate past, following all of his medical records, keeping a separate diary for the baby, decorating his bedroom… Do you want me to continue? This list is endless, Sir! You’re not going to ban me from entering your mansion, are you Sir?!” Bartel really looked unnecessarily dramatic but the Admiral didn’t refuse him as he knew full well that this subordinate of his sincerely cared for Silvano. 

“Just watch what you’re saying, he is currently very sensitive.” Admiral said in a serious tone. 

“I know, I’m not senseless like some idiots!” 

The rest of the journey back they talked about work, negotiation nuances and the upcoming events all the way to the corridor leading to Silvano’s room. When they reached the door they could hear several voices, both female and male. 

Opening the door, the scene welcoming them was quite peculiar: two ladies were sitting and Dr. Sherum was standing, all three of them surrounding Silvano who was sitting in a wheelchair. Melam who was closer was holding a tray with a cup on it and Silvano was making an effort to drink the greenish white liquid while everyone kept encouraging him. 

“One more sip, let's try once more, dear.” Thesa was softly urging him with a genuine tender smile. That was when they noticed the door opening and the two people wearing military uniforms entering. Silvano was the last to notice as he had concentrated all his attention to properly swallow without choking or hurling. Thankfully after many tries he was able to take several sips by now. Realising that the room had turned strangely quiet he looked up then followed everyone’s eyes towards the door. Only then all of them started greeting each other. 

“Greetings Admiral sir,  Assistant General!” All three medical personnel repeated. 

Silvano let go of the straw, swallowed the last bit and shyly said. 

“Hello.” 

What seemed unusual to him was that even though everyone was clearly more respectful toward Admiral Carnage there was a subtle feeling that they were more wary of the person next to him. He was no expert in military terminology but that person was clearly the Admiral’s subordinate then why were both nurses and even the doctor so tense because of his presence. This made him curious and when this person called Assistant General took several steps and was in his field of vision he was quite impressed by his very unique appearance. First of all he had a very light skin tone which looked especially pale in contrast with his pitch black hair and upturned narrow black eyes. His hair was a little longer than you’d expect from a person in the military, long enough to cover his eyes if they were to get messy, which seemed unlikely as this person looked like the embodiment of pedantic meticulousness. He was certainly a handsome man, but in a very peculiar sense. He could very well be a charismatic villain in some fantasy story, one that is scheming and torturing with a sweet smile. 

“Good evening Silvano, and enjoy your meal, sorry for interrupting.” Noticing Silvano’s interest in the new person the Admiral decided to introduce them. “This is Assistant General Bartel, he is considered as my right hand man, but don’t mind him too much, he can be uncontrollably talkative.” From the way the Admiral introduced him Silvano deduced that this must be a trustworthy person. 

“Hello.” Silvano carefully greeted. 

In response Bartel’s smile widened and you could see his absolutely black pupils twinkle. After a pause he finally replied. 

“Hello dearest, how are you feeling today?” This gave everybody present goosebumps as it’s very weird to have someone who is always uptight and criticising suddenly speak like a neighbourhood grandma while striking a gentle smile. He somehow resembled a pervert trying to brainwash his prey. 

Admiral Carnage gave him a helpless look then turned to Silvano. 

“As I said, don't mind him, his looks might seem peculiar to you as he is from planet Horizon, there are many people with similar appearances there.” Silvano was amazed as this was his first time meeting anyone from a different planet. “But I have to leave, have a nice evening.” The phrase was directed to Silvano with a small friendly smile. 

“Thank you, you as w-well, Sir.” 

“Thank you.” The Admiral circled the room with his gaze and ended his short visit. 

Surprisingly the atmosphere in the room did not get lighter after the highest ranking person left, on the contrary Silvano could feel how the two nurses and one doctor got even more anxious. 

Assistant General Bartel walked over to stand in front of Silvano. It was the peaceful time of the day right before the sunset, with warm sunlight illuminating most of the room. Silvano wearing light pastel coloured soft indoor clothes looked comfortable and lovable. Only his face showing wariness.  

“I don’t want to be correcting the Admiral but it’s important to note that I’m only half from Horizon. I was born here and I’m a citizen of planet Nest 5.” Feeling like he explained something nobody even asked about Bartel changed the subject. “Well, not that it’s important. I’m happy to see you’re finally able to swallow, but what exactly is it that’s so… green?” 

“Th-that’s…”

“Um…it’s”

This time it wasn’t Silvano stuttering but the two ladies. 

“Ehm! After many trials and errors we have come up with a recipe that is acceptable to Mr. Silvano’s taste.” In the end it was Dr Sherum that mastered his courage to speak to the obviously fault seeking Assistant General. “It’s a very simple thin porridge made with grain and fruit, the green colour comes from mint.” 

“Um, Sir, I’m sorry, i-it is not i-intentional. I just h-hurle up whenever something reaches m-my throat.” 

After Silvano’s attempt to explain, the three resigned themselves and realised they were doomed as Bartel’s face lost all the smiles. Even Silvano was startled by the sudden coldness of his features. But unexpectedly, the Assistant General fell on one knee with a thud and looked straight into Silvano’s eyes with genuine concern evident in his gaze. 

“There is absolutely no reason for you to apologise to me or anyone else. You are recovering from a serious condition. You are strong and resilient, no one can persuade me otherwise. All the recovery stages you’ve leaped through in these five days usually take three to four times longer. I’ve seen a person waking from being in a coma for 2 months, and in 3 weeks they were still unable to coordinate in space and master articulated speech. And that’s considered a norm. So promise me that you’ll not apologise for something like that ever again!” 

Silvano could feel that this person sincerely cared for him and knew about him maybe more than the people surrounding him so far. Well, perhaps as much as the Admiral. He timidly nodded in response. 

“Tell me you promise, in words.” 

Silvano bit his lower lip, finding it hard to speak up.