The girl lay in bed. Her mother was on one side, and between them rested her four-year-old sister. The room was dim, lit only by a dying candle and the pale glow of the moon slipping through the curtains. In the air lingered the faint scent of lavender.
Milena shifted beneath the blankets, the smell of soap rising as her cold feet brushed against Valerie's legs.
- Milly, stop... your feet are freezing.
Valerie's voice came out in a strained whisper. Her sister giggled, amused, and pressed her feet closer in search of warmth. Valerie frowned, then reached down and lightly dragged her fingers along her sister's side. Milena bit her lip to keep from laughing, though a soft, breathless sound escaped her anyway.
Their mother opened her eyes and smiled — tired, but full of warmth.
- Enough, you two... Milly, come here.
She pulled the blankets higher, tucking the girls in properly. Turning to her side, she gathered Milena closer, rubbing her small feet between her own until they warmed. Milena relaxed almost instantly, sinking into the warmth, her body going limp as sleep claimed her. Her breathing soon turned slow and even, one tiny hand curled against their mother's chest.
Silence settled.
Valerie remained awake, staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet rhythm of her sister's breath. She didn't move. She didn't want this moment to end.
After a while, their mother turned her head slightly toward her. She slid one arm over Milena and gently pulled Valerie closer into the embrace.
Her voice dropped to a whisper meant only for the older child.
— Val...
Valerie swallowed and answered just as softly.
- Yes, Mom?
- You can't sleep?
She waited a beat, then continued.
- You are the older one. That means you will understand things before you should. If anything ever troubles you, you can talk to me, sweetie.
Her fingers found Valerie's hand — warm and steady, grounding her.
- You know... the world is not gentle. Humans are ruthless... even to their own kind. When the time comes, do not be ashamed of what you must do to survive.
She paused, her thumb tracing slow circles over Valerie's knuckles.
- Not just for yourself... but for your sister too.
Valerie nodded and pressed closer, her forehead resting against her mother's.
Her mother kissed the top of her head.
- I know you will.
Valerie closed her eyes, holding onto the warmth, the quiet, the safety — unaware that this would become one of the memories she would miss the most, and one of the promises she would never be able to keep.