As they approached the inn, Valeria noticed Lily slow her pace, glancing around cautiously. Then, without warning, Lily stopped and turned to Valeria, her expression calm but serious. “Valeria, why don’t you go ahead and wait for me in our room?” she said, holding out the key. “I’ll join you in a bit.”

Valeria blinked in confusion but nodded, accepting the key from Lily’s hand. Henry, standing nearby, looked just as puzzled as Valeria, but neither of them said anything. Before they could ask any questions, Lily already swiftly moved ahead. She reached the front of the inn, where a man was leaning casually against the doorframe. His arms crossed, as he watched the bustling town with a calm expression.

It didn’t take Valeria long to recognize him. Dante. The same man who had stopped Lily earlier in the tavern.

Without a word, Lily grabbed Dante by the arm, pulling him away from the inn and into a quieter, less crowded space off to the side. The moment felt tense, like something important was happening just out of earshot. Valeria could see Dante turn to her, his expression serious but not unkind, as the two spoke in hushed voices.

Henry, who had been silent during the exchange, finally sighed and turned back toward the inn. He walked beside Valeria in silence, his normally cheerful demeanor notably absent. Valeria glanced up at him, unsure of what to say. Henry looked… sad, his gaze lingering on Lily as she talked with Dante in the distance. Valeria didn’t understand why, but she could feel something heavy in the air between them.

As they neared the inn’s entrance, the large wooden door swung open, and Roan stepped out. He paused mid-step, his eyes narrowing as he took in Henry’s expression and the direction of his gaze.

With a knowing look, Roan shook his head, stepping forward and throwing a heavy arm over Henry’s shoulders. “I told you, kid,” Roan said, his voice gruff but not unkind. He pulled Henry inside with him, his words meant to soften the sting of reality.

Henry offered a weak smile, but Valeria could see that he didn’t respond with his usual wit. Instead, he allowed Roan to guide him into the inn, his shoulders slumped just a little.

Valeria, still feeling confused and unsure, watched them disappear inside. She clutched the key Lily had given her tightly in her hand, wondering what had just happened. Why was Dante there? And why had Henry looked so sad?

Shaking off her confusion for the moment, Valeria decided to do as Lily had asked. She headed upstairs to their room, her mind swirling with questions but knowing she would have to wait for Lily to explain. The inn was quieter now, the day's noise fading as night began to settle over the town. As Valeria unlocked the door and stepped inside, she sat down on the bed, the small wooden trinket still clutched in her other hand. She stared at it for a moment, trying to make sense of everything.

Valeria lay sprawled across the soft bed, rolling from side to side, relishing the comfort she hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever. The bed was so much softer than the hard ground she’d gotten used to on the road, and it felt like a luxury she didn’t want to leave. But as the minutes ticked by in the quiet room, her curiosity began to grow. Where was Lily? Why had she taken so long?

Her stomach growled softly, reminding her of the day’s excitement and how much energy she had spent exploring the town. Valeria sat up, glancing at the door, wondering if maybe she should go look for Lily.

Unable to resist the growing feeling of hunger and curiosity, Valeria stood up and slipped out of the room. She made her way downstairs, her steps light and cautious. As she reached the bottom floor, she saw Henry sitting at a table with Roan’s group, his usual cheer dimmed as he drank with the others. Valeria noticed his posture was more slouched than usual. And while she didn’t understand why, something about it made her feel a little sad for him.

Pushing open the door to the tavern, Valeria’s ears caught the sound of voices, one of them familiar. She paused, realizing that it was Dante speaking, his voice carrying a hint of frustration.

“That was dangerous, Lily. You could have asked for more help,” Dante said, his tone edged with concern and irritation.

Lily’s voice followed, calm and measured as always. “No, you and your team are needed here.”

Valeria took a step forward, drawn by the conversation, but before Dante could respond, Lily suddenly looked back over her shoulder and spotted her. Valeria froze, realizing she had been caught.

Lily walked over to Valeria, her expression softening as she knelt down slightly to meet her gaze. “What’s wrong, Valeria? Was I taking too long?” she asked gently.

Before Valeria could answer, her stomach growled again, loud enough to make her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Lily’s lips curved into a small smile as she stood up. “Sounds like you’re hungry,” she said with a knowing nod. “Let’s get you something to eat before we head back to bed.”

As they were about to leave, Dante approached them, his earlier irritation now replaced by a softer expression. He smiled down at Valeria and knelt beside her, his hand moving to his belt. “Wait a moment,” he said, pulling something out and gently placing it into Valeria’s small hand.

Valeria blinked in surprise and looked down. It was a dagger, a beautifully crafted one, the hilt wrapped in fine leather and the blade humming with a faint, magical energy even though it was still sheathed. The weight of it felt strange in her hand, but it was light enough for her to carry.

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She stared at the dagger in awe, her fingers brushing over the intricate carvings on the hilt.

“Why would you give her that?” Lily’s voice cut in, a hint of disapproval in her tone.

But before Lily could say more, Dante interrupted her, his attention still on Valeria. “It’s a gift for you. First meeting gift,” he said, his tone light but sincere. Then he glanced up at Lily with a shrug. “It’s good for her to have something for self-defense, don’t you think?”

Lily sighed, clearly not thrilled by the idea. But before she could continue, Valeria murmured a small, almost shy, “Thank you.”

Her quiet gratitude seemed to brighten Dante’s face. He smiled wider and gently patted her head, his large hand resting lightly on her hair for a moment. “You’re welcome, little one,” he said, clearly pleased that she liked the gift.

Lily, seeing how much Valeria admired the dagger, decided not to push the issue any further. She watched as Valeria carefully examined the sheathed blade, her eyes still wide with wonder.

“Come on,” Lily said softly, placing a hand on Valeria’s shoulder. “Let’s find something to eat.”

Dante straightened up, gesturing toward the tavern. “Why don’t you both join me? The food here isn’t bad.”

Lily didn’t hesitate to decline, her tone polite but firm. “Thank you, but we’ll eat somewhere quieter.” She then guided Valeria away from the tavern, leaving Dante behind with a wave.

As they walked away, the busy noise of the tavern slowly faded behind them, and Lily led Valeria toward a small place they had passed earlier that morning. It was tucked away from the bustling center of town, a quaint spot that felt calm and welcoming. The air smelled of fresh bread and roasted meats, and Valeria’s stomach growled again in anticipation.

Lily glanced down at Valeria with a smile. “This should be a little more peaceful,” she said softly, guiding her toward a table. Valeria nodded, still holding the dagger carefully in her hands, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the day and everything she had seen.

Valeria sat at the table, happily nibbling on the food in front of her. But her fingers brushed over the hilt of the dagger, her eyes sparkling with wonder every time she looked at it. It was beautiful—far beyond anything she’d ever owned before—and the soft hum of magic emanating from it made it feel even more special.

Lily, sitting across from her, quietly ate her meal. But every now and then, she would glance up and chuckle softly at the sight of Valeria’s childlike amazement. “You really like that dagger, don’t you?” she asked, her voice soft but tinged with a bit of concern.

Valeria nodded eagerly, a bright smile on her face. “It’s amazing! I’ve never had something like this before.”

Lily sighed lightly, her expression softening. “It is a fine gift,” she said, “but I don’t like the idea of you carrying something so dangerous. Weapons aren’t toys, Valeria.”

Valeria paused for a moment, her enthusiasm dampened slightly by Lily’s words. She glanced down at the dagger, her small fingers tracing the hilt. “I know,” she said quietly. “But I’ll be careful. I promise.”

Lily gave her a gentle smile, nodding in acknowledgment but still not entirely convinced. After a few more bites of food, she decided to shift the conversation, her voice becoming a bit more serious. “Valeria, do you know if you have any relatives nearby? Someone your parents might have mentioned?”

Valeria blinked and sat in thought, her brow furrowing. She tried to recall any conversations about family, but nothing came to mind. “I don’t think my parents ever talked about any relatives,” she said after a moment. “Just some acquaintances, but no family.”

Lily nodded slowly, seeming deep in thought as the conversation lulled. The quiet settled between them, but Valeria’s mind began to turn as she remembered something else. Her father had mentioned an acquaintance—someone who knew magic. Her shyness crept in, but after a moment, she looked up at Lily and asked, “Um… could you teach me? You know… magic?”

Lily, who had been lost in her own thoughts, looked up in surprise at the question. She studied Valeria for a moment, clearly not expecting the request. “Teach you magic?” she repeated, her voice soft but thoughtful. “I’ve never taught anyone before… and I’ve never really been asked. But… I can try to show you some of the basics of what I know. When the time is right.”

Valeria’s eyes lit up at the response, and she grinned excitedly. “Really? Thank you, Lily! I’d love to learn.”

Lily couldn’t help but smile at the girl’s enthusiasm. “We’ll see what we can do,” she replied, her voice gentle but warm. Valeria’s joy was contagious, and it seem like a welcome distraction from the heavier thoughts on Lily’s mind.

After finishing their meal, Lily paid for the food and stood up, guiding Valeria out of the small eatery. The cool night air greeted them as they walked back toward the inn. The streets were quieter now, the energy of the town winding down as the sun set lower in the sky.

“We should get some rest,” Lily said, glancing down at Valeria as they walked. “We’ll be leaving for the city of Aurenport tomorrow. But first, we’ll need to grab more supplies before we head out.”

Valeria’s face fell slightly at this news, her steps slowing. “We’re not going to keep traveling with Roan and Henry?” she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Lily glanced at Valeria, her expression softening at the girl’s reaction. “I didn’t plan to, no,” she said gently. “We’ve been with them for a while now, and I don’t want to impose on their journey any further. Besides, you’re feeling better now, and I need to make sure we have everything we need for you.”

Valeria’s heart sank a little. She had grown used to the familiarity of traveling with Roan’s group, especially Henry. The thought of leaving them made her feel a bit down. She kicked a small pebble as they walked. “I… I understand,” she said quietly, trying to hide her disappointment.

Lily noticed Valeria’s reaction and gave her a soft, reassuring smile. “I’ll ask Roan where they’re headed next,” she offered. “If their destination is the same as ours, maybe we can meet up with them again. But I don’t want to bother them anymore. They’ve been very kind, and I want to make sure we’re prepared—just you and me.”

Valeria nodded, trying to keep her spirits up. She didn’t want to burden Lily with her sadness, and she knew Lily was doing everything she could to take care of her. “It’s okay,” she said, forcing a small smile. “I just want to stay with you.”

Lily stopped in her tracks, seem surprised at Valeria’s sudden comment. Her eyes softened as she looked down at the young girl, and without a word, she bent down and scooped Valeria up into her arms, holding her close. “Thank you, Valeria,” she murmured, her voice filled with warmth and gratitude. “You’ve been so brave.”

Valeria felt herself relax into Lily’s embrace, the tiredness from the day’s excitement finally catching up with her. She rested her head on Lily’s shoulder, her eyelids growing heavy as she felt the gentle sway of Lily’s steps as they continued toward the inn.

By the time they reached the inn, Valeria was nearly asleep, her small arms draped loosely around Lily’s neck. Lily carried her upstairs, her steps soft and careful. And when they entered the room, she gently laid Valeria down on the bed, pulling the blankets over her.