As the sun began to rise, Liora sat at the edge of the bed, half-dressed, Morning light spilling into the room.
It's been a few days since Aria had seen her get hurt,
Her shoulder still ached beneath the fresh bandage, but the pain wasn't what kept her still.
It was the memory.
The quiet word, spoken through tears.
"Mommy."
She glanced down at Aria, still curled beneath the blankets, breathing slowly, fingers tangled in the edge of her cloak like a security blanket.
Liora had never planned to be anything but an adventurer. She didn't have a home, just rooms she rented and roads she walked. But now…
Now there was someone who looked at her like she was the safest place in the world.
And that changed everything.
Later that morning, Liora and Aria walked hand in hand to the village market.
The pouch on Liora's belt felt heavy, most of the quest reward, nearly all of it for Aria.
They started with boots. Proper ones this time. A kind tailor adjusted the fit and even gave them a pair of soft gloves for free.
Then came clothes, tunics, underthings, and a light coat for cooler nights. Aria's eyes lit up at every stall, but she never asked for anything extra.
Liora noticed anyway.
She bought a wooden hairbrush when she caught Aria smoothing her tangled hair with her hands. A little satchel for her to carry. A cloth doll from a merchant's cart, tucked quickly into the bag.
"You're spoiling her," one vendor joked.
"Maybe, but she deserves it," Liora said.
That evening, with Aria's satchel bouncing gently at her side, they stood before the heavy doors of the village hall.
The clerk let them in without question, leading them to a small office near the back. Inside, the village head, a gray-bearded man named Elden, stood from his desk as they entered.
He looked Liora up and down, then peered curiously at Aria.
"I hear you've been bringing a little shadow around with you," he said, voice gravelly but not unkind.
Liora gave a short nod. "Her name's Aria. I… found her on a quest out South. She was alone. No family. No name. She gave herself that one."
Elden leaned back into his chair. "And you want to keep her?"
Liora glanced down at Aria, now holding her hand with both of her small hands.
"I want to adopt her," she said. "For real. I want to give her A place to belong."
The village head studied her for a moment, then reached into a drawer and pulled out a few forms. "You understand this won't be easy. Raising a child while working as an adventurer… It's not just coin. It's danger, and time."
"I know," Liora said.
"You live in an inn."
"I'll find something better."
Elden tapped the pen on his desk, then looked at Aria. "What about her? You ask her how she feels?"
Liora knelt beside Aria, gently brushing a strand of hair behind the girl's ear.
"Aria," she said softly. "This is about more than just staying with me. If I do this… if I sign these papers, it means I'll be your mom. Not just someone looking after you. But your real mom."
She hesitated.
"Is that something you want?"
Aria stared at her, wide-eyed. And then, slowly, tears welled again, not from fear, but something else. Something fuller.
She nodded.
Then whispered, "Yes."
And threw her arms around Liora's neck.
The paperwork wasn't long, but it felt heavy with meaning. Liora signed her name with steady hands. Aria left a tiny fingerprint beside hers with the help of the clerk.
Elden folded the papers, tucked them into a sealed envelope, and said, "It's done."
He leaned back in his chair again, arms crossed.
"She's yours now. Just don't forget, she needs more than protection. She'll need warmth. Guidance. And a future."
"I know," Liora said.
He grunted. "Then go give her one."
That evening, Liora carried Aria back through the streets, the girl half-asleep against her shoulder. A soft weight. A new kind of burden, one she chose.
One she would carry for the rest of her life.