Night had settled completely over the quiet holy kingdom.
The wind moved gently through the narrow street, carrying with it the distant rustle of leaves and the faint creaking of wooden beams. Lantern light from the orphanage gate flickered softly, casting long, trembling shadows across the stone ground.
It was silent.
Too silent.
The woman lay collapsed on her knees for a moment, her body trembling from exhaustion. Her breath came in slow, ragged pulls as she gathered the last fragments of strength she had left.
Then slowly—
Very slowly—
She lowered her gaze.
The baby girl rested in her arms.
Small.
Fragile.
Wrapped tightly in worn cloth.
Two tiny lavender-silver eyes blinked up at her.
The child looked into her face.
And smiled.
Her tiny hands reached upward, fingers opening and closing clumsily as if trying to grab the air between them.
Trying to reach her.
The woman froze.
Her dry eyes trembled.
