The city was a blur of sights and sounds as Valeria and Lily made their way through the bustling streets. People hurried about their business, merchants hawked their wares, and the occasional cart rumbled by, pulled by sturdy horses. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. Valeria found herself caught up in the excitement of it all—every corner they turned revealed something new and interesting. It was easy to forget the heavy events of the day as she soaked in the energy of the city.

After a while, they reached a quieter part of the city, away from the main hustle and bustle. Lily led Valeria into a small, cozy diner tucked between two taller buildings. It was the kind of place that seemed to invite people in with its warm glow and the delicious smells wafting out from the kitchen. The wooden tables and chairs were simple but comfortable, and a few patrons sat scattered around the room, eating quietly. It was peaceful here, a perfect contrast to the chaos of the streets outside.

They sat down at a corner table, and soon after, plates of hot food were placed before them. Valeria dug in eagerly, the warmth of the meal making her feel even more at ease. Lily, however, seemed more pensive. Valeria noticed that while Lily was eating, her mind appeared to be elsewhere. There was a heaviness in the air that Valeria couldn’t quite place, but she was too caught up in her meal to dwell on it for long.

As Valeria neared the end of her plate, Lily finally spoke. Her voice was soft, but it carried an unfamiliar weight that immediately grabbed Valeria’s attention. “Valeria,” she began, her tone serious. Valeria looked up, pausing mid-bite, noticing the shift in Lily’s demeanor.

Lily took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about to say. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Valeria nodded, her brow furrowing slightly. She could feel that whatever Lily was about to say wasn’t going to be easy. She set down her fork, focusing on Lily entirely now.

Lily hesitated for a moment, then continued. “I’ve been speaking with Uncle Arthur… trying to figure out what’s best for you. I want to find a place where you can settle down, somewhere safe, where you don’t have to worry about all the dangerous things out there.” Her words were careful, as if she was trying not to alarm Valeria too much.

Valeria blinked, processing the words slowly. “Does that mean… you’re staying in the city?” she asked, her voice small and hopeful.

Lily shook her head gently, her expression softening but still serious. “No, Valeria. I can’t stay in one place for long. There are things I need to do… places I need to go. And they’re not safe for you.”

The realization of what Lily meant began to hit Valeria all at once. Her heart dropped, and a lump formed in her throat. “Y-you mean… you’re leaving me?” she asked, her voice breaking.

Lily’s eyes widened slightly, her hand reaching across the table to take Valeria’s gently. “No, it’s not like that. It’s not because of you. It’s because I want you to be safe, and the places I go… they’re dangerous. I couldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you.”

Tears welled up in Valeria’s eyes as she shook her head, her voice trembling. “But I’m not scared. I can stay with you! I’ll be good, I promise. Please don’t leave me!” Her words tumbled out in a rush, her emotions overwhelming her.

Lily’s grip on Valeria’s hand tightened, her eyes soft and filled with concern. “Valeria, you’re not a bad child. You’ve never been any trouble to me,” she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “You’ve been wonderful. But I don’t know how to take care of someone, especially a child. And I don’t want to take you into places that might get you hurt.”

Valeria sniffled, wiping at her eyes. “But I like you a lot, Lily… I don’t want you to leave.” Her voice was quieter now, but still filled with pain. She fought to keep from crying too loudly, not wanting to draw attention to herself or to Lily, but the tears kept coming.

Lily leaned forward, her voice soothing. “You’re a very good kid, Valeria. This isn’t your fault. I want to keep you safe, and that’s why I’m trying to find a good place for you.”

Valeria looked down, her hands trembling. She wanted to argue, to beg Lily to let her stay with her, but before she could speak, a man’s voice cut through the air.

“Valeria?”

The voice was unfamiliar, but something in it made Valeria instinctively answer. “Yes?” she replied, looking up with wide eyes, confused and startled.

A man stood at the edge of their table, tall and with an air of confidence. He wore a traveler's cloak, and his face was calm but focused as his eyes met Valeria's. He didn’t seem like anyone Valeria knew, and yet there was something in his presence that made her pause.

Lily’s grip on Valeria’s hand tightened slightly, as if preparing herself for something.

The man exhaled in surprise, his voice filled with certainty. "So, I was right after all," he said, his gaze now sharply focused on Lily. His demeanor shifted quickly as he narrowed his eyes at her, his suspicion palpable. “Who are you?” he demanded, then turned to Valeria, his voice less harsh but still laced with urgency. “What are you doing here, Valeria? And where are your parents?”

Valeria blinked in confusion, her mind racing. She had no idea who this man was, and her thoughts scrambled to make sense of the situation. Lily, sensing the shift in the air, was immediately on guard, her body tensing as she subtly shifted closer to Valeria, positioning herself between the man and the young girl. “I noticed you following us earlier,” Lily said calmly but firmly, her eyes locking onto the stranger. “But I didn’t think much of it. Why are you following us?”

The man raised his hands slightly, as if trying to ease the tension. “I wasn’t sure at first,” he explained, his gaze softening somewhat as he looked at Valeria. “I saw the girl… and I thought I recognized her, but I needed to be sure. Then I noticed her crying, and I wanted to confirm it for myself.”

He turned back to Lily, his tone now more direct. "What are you doing with her? I know her parents."

Valeria’s mind raced as the man’s words began to sink in. Her heart fluttered with recognition, but also confusion. She remembered her father had mentioned someone—an acquaintance, someone who would be arriving soon. Could this be him?

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Finally finding her voice, Valeria spoke up. "My dad… he mentioned someone coming to visit," she said softly, her eyes shifting between the man and Lily. "But I don’t know you."

The man’s attention shifted fully to Valeria now. “That would be me. I’ve been waiting for your father, William. He hasn’t answered my letters, and I’ve been at the port in this city waiting for a reply ever since I arrived.”

Valeria tugged at Lily’s sleeve, “Lily, my dad did mention someone coming soon… but I don’t know him myself.”

Lily remained tense, her expression unreadable as she studied the man carefully. “And how do I know you’re telling the truth?” Lily asked, her voice cool but cautious. “If you really know Valeria’s parents, then tell me about them. Prove you’re who you say you are.”

The man looked offended by the suggestion, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I could say the same about you," he shot back, his voice tight with irritation. "You’re the one who seems suspicious here."

But he relented after a moment, sighing. “Valeria’s father is William, and her mother is Cecilia. They live in a small village just beyond Silverbrook.”

Valeria’s heart skipped a beat as she nodded at Lily, confirming what the man said. “That’s right,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she looked up at Lily.

Lily’s eyes flickered with hesitation before she finally nodded, her suspicion softening just a little. But she still stood protectively by Valeria’s side, unwilling to fully lower her guard just yet.

The man’s expression softened as he continued, his voice quieter now but still clear. “Your father,” he said, looking at Valeria, “asked me to teach you magic as a birthday gift. He said you had been asking for it for some time. Your birthday was not too long ago, wasn’t it?” His words hung in the air, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Valeria’s eyes widened, her heart fluttering with recognition. “Yes,” she whispered, the memories of her birthday rushing back. Her father had indeed mentioned an acquaintance who would teach her magic—this man was telling the truth. Valeria nodded at Lily, her small voice trembling. “He’s right.”

Lily, seeing the confirmation in Valeria’s eyes and hearing the familiarity in the man’s words, felt her suspicion begin to ease. It was a personal detail—one that only someone in the situation would know. Lily’s posture relaxed, and she gave the man a small nod. “I’m sorry,” she said, her tone measured but apologetic. “It seems like you’re telling the truth.”

The man, still looking distraught, waved off her apology. “No, it’s… it’s understandable.” His voice wavered slightly, but he quickly focused back on Valeria, his expression softening further. “I should’ve mentioned it sooner.”

Lily hesitated for a moment, glancing down at Valeria before she spoke again. "I—" She paused, her eyes flickering with worry. Valeria could feel Lily’s grip on her shoulder tighten slightly as she continued, her voice quieter now. “I was able to rescue Valeria… but she’s the only survivor.”

The weight of the words hung heavy in the air, and the man’s face fell. His shoulders slumped, and he looked as if the ground had been pulled from beneath him. “No…” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I… I heard things were getting dangerous in this part of the region. That’s why I came. But I didn’t—” His voice cracked, and he shook his head, his eyes filled with regret. “I didn’t expect… I didn’t even get to meet them.…”

Valeria, who had been listening quietly, couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. She cried softly, her small frame trembling as the mention of her village—her home—reopened the painful wound that hadn’t yet begun to heal. The room felt colder, the weight of their shared grief pressing down on them all.

The man straightened up after a moment, his expression still filled with sorrow but now tinged with determination. “I’m so sorry, Valeria,” he said, his voice stronger now as he looked down at her with a deep sense of responsibility. “I should have been there… I should have been able to help.”

Valeria could only nod, wiping at her tear-streaked face, unable to form words in the moment.

After a deep, steadying breath, he turned his attention back to Lily, standing tall despite the pain in his eyes. “My name is Nolan,” he said, formally introducing himself at last. “Thank you… thank you for saving her.” His voice was sincere, and he bowed his head slightly. “I’m sorry I doubted you earlier. You were right to be cautious.”

Lily nodded, her voice steady but soft. “It’s alright. I understand.” There was a pause before she added, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Nolan stood quietly for a moment, gathering his thoughts before turning to Lily again. "Thank you," he said, his voice heavy with sincerity. "For taking care of Valeria. I can’t even imagine what she’s been through, and I’m grateful that you’ve been by her side." His expression softened as he looked at Valeria. "But I think it’s best if she comes with me now. I’ll take her back to her grandparents. They… they might not have the best relationship with her parents, but they won’t turn away their grandchild. If anything goes wrong, I’ll be there for her too."

Valeria’s gaze shifted from Nolan to Lily, her heart sinking as she saw the way Lily hesitated. Lily’s eyes, usually so calm and unreadable, seemed to flicker with a hint of reluctance. She nodded, though, and her words were steady. "You don’t have to thank me," she said softly. "It’s only right that Valeria should be with her family."

Valeria’s heart clenched at those words. Family. The word felt distant, unfamiliar. Her parents had never spoken much about their relatives. She didn’t know anything about these grandparents Nolan mentioned. The thought of leaving Lily—who had taken care of her, comforted her, and made her feel safe—filled her with dread. She didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to leave Lily behind.

But how could she say that out loud? How could she tell Lily, after everything she had done, that she didn’t want to leave? Valeria hesitated, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. She didn’t want to be a burden to Lily, not after all the kindness Lily had shown her. So, reluctantly, she nodded at Nolan, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

Nolan brightened at her response, his expression softening as he knelt down to hug Valeria. "Thank you, Valeria," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I know this isn’t easy, but I promise, I’ll take care of you. It’s the least I can do for your parents."

Valeria hugged him back, though her arms felt heavy, as if weighed down by everything she didn’t know how to say. When they pulled apart, Nolan gently placed his hand on her shoulder, guiding her toward the door. Valeria glanced back at Lily, feeling the weight of the moment settle over her like a thick fog. She didn’t want to leave, but she didn’t know how to say that. So, reluctantly, she waved goodbye to Lily as they stepped out of the diner.

Just as they were about to leave, Lily’s voice broke through the quiet air. "Valeria," she called, her tone soft yet clear. Valeria turned back to see Lily walking toward her, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Do you still have the wooden bird trinket?"

Valeria blinked, reaching into her bag and pulling out the small wooden bird that Lily had bought for her not too long ago. She nodded, holding it out for Lily to see.

Lily smiled gently. "May I see it for a moment?"

Valeria hesitated, then handed the trinket to Lily. Lily took it with both hands, closing her fingers around it as she pressed it gently to her forehead, her eyes fluttering shut. She held it there for a few quiet moments, her expression serene, before handing it back to Valeria.

"It’s a late birthday gift," Lily explained, her voice quiet. "This bird will be with you in my place. If you ever find yourself in danger, hold it close and call for me. I’ll do my best to be there for you, no matter where I am."

Valeria looked down at the wooden bird in her hands, feeling the faint warmth of Lily’s magic radiating from it. There was something comforting about the trinket now, something that made her feel a little less alone. She looked up at Lily, her eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you, Lily," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lily smiled softly, patting Valeria's head. "Take care of yourself, Valeria," she said gently.

Valeria nodded, clutching the bird tightly in her hand as she and Nolan waved goodbye to Lily. Even as they walked away, Valeria couldn’t help but glance back one last time. Her heart ached at the sight of Lily standing there, watching them go.