CHAPTER 479: OFFERING COMFORT

Coco fixed her gaze at Lala, her expression blank.

Requesting clarification, Coco politely asked. "Lala, could you please repeat what you just said?"

Lala’s small form stood before Coco, her red eyes glistening with tears, as her words came out in a shaky, but steady voice, tinged with concern and relief.

"You.." The fairy began, her voice cracking slightly, "You gave Richard a name.. And expended all your mana in one go."

Lala paused for a moment, gathering her composure before continuing. "As a result, you remained unconscious for an entire week.. Leaving us all deeply worried and troubled because we don’t know if you’ll wake up today or tomorrow.."

Coco’s gaze remained glued on Lala, her skepticism clearly evident on her face.

With doubt evident in her voice, she inquired. "This isn’t some kind of joke, right? So, you’re saying that an entire week has actually passed while I’ve been unconscious?"

Lala’s expression immediately turned to a frown, her tone becoming sharper in response to Coco’s question.

With a firm and slightly annoyed tone, she retorted. "I never prank you about these things! What I’m telling you is the truth. You’ve truly been unconscious for a week!"

She paused, taking a deep breath. "We were extremely worried about you, you know! Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?"

Coco let out a sigh, her head shaking slightly in defeat.

"Alright, alright.. But let me get this straight." She began, her voice tinged with disappointment. "I’ve missed a whole week of work, right? Well, that’s great.. What a waste of time.."

Coco closed her eyes tight, feeling the frustration of having lost an entire week’s worth of productivity. "Ugh, I can’t believe I’ve been unconscious for that long. I could have made a thousand by now."

Zaque frowned, his voice laced with concern as he rebuked Coco. "You know, you should be more worried about your own well-being instead of worrying about work."

Coco flinched as he chided. "You were unconscious for a week and all you can think about is missing work?"

Her hands went to her hips, her expression becoming slightly more irritated. "Honestly, your priorities can be so out of whack sometimes."

Coco couldn’t help, but look away, her hand instinctively reaching out to rub her neck sheepishly.

"Alright, alright, I get it.." She responded, her tone lighthearted, albeit tinged with a hint of guilt. "But I’m fine, aren’t I? No need to worry any more than you already have."

Quizen’s voice broke through the conversation, his eyes still red and swollen from earlier. "Richard is downstairs, assisting Heiren with making your food.. Would you like me to fetch him for you?"

Coco thought about the offer, contemplating whether she should see her new companion right away.

She considered her current state— still weak and tired from her week-long slumber— and decided that it could wait.

"Actually, there’s no rush." She responded thoughtfully. "I don’t need to see the little guy immediately. I’m still feeling a bit tired, and some rest wouldn’t hurt."

Quizen offered a sympathetic nod, understanding Coco’s request and tapped Zaque to silently drag him out of the room. However, before they could move, she added. "Could you please call Heiren and Alhai to the room as well?"

Zaque nodded, silently acknowledging her wish. "Of course. I’ll fetch them and bring them here right now."

"Thank you." Coco said as she watched the mediators exit the room, their figures disappearing from her sight, making her breath out in relief.

She leaned back against the pillows, her gaze fixed on the open doorway for a moment as the room fell into a brief silence, the only sound coming from the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Coco waited for Zaque to return with Heiren and Alhai, all the while taking a deep breath, but Lala let out a weary sigh, the sound filled with concern, catching her attention.

"Don’t you see, Coco?" Lala asked, her voice gently reproving. "You always prioritize others before yourself.. You comfort them, neglecting your own well-being in the process."

She continued, her words dripping with both worry and frustration. "Can’t you ever think about yourself first for once? You need care and attention, too, you know."

A smile appeared on Coco’s face, her words carrying a hint of sincerity and gratitude. "You all have been worrying so much about me. It seems only natural that I should return the favor by worrying about all of you."

Coco chuckled softly, reaching out to rub Lala’s head. "Besides, I care deeply about each and every one of you. Your well-being matters just as much as my own, if not more."

Lala’s lips quivered, her emotions overwhelming her as tears welled up in her eyes.

In an instant, her dam of emotions burst open and she clutched onto Coco’s finger, her small frame shaking with sobs.

"You.. You’re an idiot, Coco!" The garden fairy managed to choke out between teary gasps. "Don’t you understand how worried everyone was about you? How could you think of comforting us first? You should have worried more about yourself, okay? You could barely lift your arm!"

"You saw that? That’s so embarrassing." Coco hummed, using her other hand to rub a comforting circle on Lala’s head because Lala was holding on to her other finger.

"You’re so mean!" Lala cried harder, her little hands trembling against Coco’s finger.

Coco couldn’t help, but chuckle softly, her finger still rubbing soothing circles on Lala’s head to comfort the small, sobbing fairy.

With a mix of amusement and affection, she spoke gently, her voice filled with warmth.

"Hey, hey." Coco murmured, her tone soothing. "There, there. Don’t cry now, Lala. I’m alright, see? I’m awake and talking with you right now, aren’t I? There’s no need to cry anymore."

"You didn’t look fine last week.." Lala sobbed, shaking her head as she kept her face pressed on the pad of Coco’s finger. "You looked like you were dying.. I got so scared.."