The next morning began with Yory washing his face near the cart, while Joe had already left for the capital. Tyva, already awake, was brimming with excitement at the thought of finally meeting her mother after all these years. Meanwhile, Lana remained sound asleep in one of the inn's rooms.

Afterwards, Yory headed to the inn and returned with a silver cup of milk and two plates of fried eggs. He handed one plate and the cup to Tyva before sitting beside her.

Tyva smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Yory."

Yory nodded, brushing off the gratitude. "No need to thank me. Your mother will pay me for my services."

Tyva frowned in annoyance. "Seriously? I've already paid you, you greedy demon!"

Yory grinned mischievously. "Your mother doesn't need to know."

Tyva chuckled and teased, "Greedy, greedy demon. But thanks anyway for your overpriced service to this noble girl."

Standing up with a mock bow, Yory responded, "You're welcome, Tyva, the big-pocketed human girl."

As Tyva smiled and began to eat, Yory glanced over at Boris, who stood guarding the cart, his face fixed in an inexplicable scowl.

"You better be a good girl, Tyva," Yory remarked, his tone suddenly more serious.

Tyva paused, her expression turning thoughtful as she stared down at her plate. "Do you think I can do it? Accomplish what my father and all those nobles couldn't?"

Yory nodded firmly. "Yes. I was a noble demon once, and I know how power changes people. You will grow into the role, become the new Lord of Daekrahm, and surpass even your father in building the city into something greater."

Tyva absorbed his words, her mind racing. After a moment, she asked, "And what about the ghouls? Won’t they strike again? We took their diamond caves years ago. Won’t they plot revenge?"

Yory paused, glancing briefly toward the village entrance. “Not for now,” he said. “The ghouls have reclaimed the diamond caves. Word travels fast in this kingdom. Joe heard on his way between cities that Daekrahm returned the caves to them. A priest from the Light Temple—probably Falkor—made it happen.”

Tyva nodded, though a shadow of concern crossed her face. “But I’m worried... what if my mother doesn’t recognize me? It’s been so long. Maybe I’m just a distant memory now, or worse, one she doesn’t want anymore.”

Yory chuckled softly, sensing her unease. “She won’t forget you,” he assured her. “You’re her only daughter. From how you’ve described her, she sounds kind—a rare thing in nobles, I must say.”

Tyva looked up at Yory, her eyes glistening, on the verge of tears but holding them back. “What if she rejects me? What if I can’t undo the damage my father caused? To our people, to the ghouls? Can I ever dig myself out of this hole? Will I become the ‘good girl’ you talked about earlier?”

Yory turned to her, his face neither mocking nor stern, just gentle. “You have time to figure it out,” he said with a warm smile. “I don’t have all the answers.”

As Tyva’s tears welled up, Yory continued. “If you can’t make things right with the ghouls and your people, maybe it’s okay to let someone else lead. If you can’t climb out of the hole on your own, ask for help. Will you be a good girl? You already are. But the real question is, will you stay that way through all the hardships ahead? I hope you do.”

Tyva embraced him tightly, and Yory returned the hug. She wiped her tears, then resumed eating. Once they had finished, Yory gathered the plates and started toward the inn’s entrance.

He paused and glanced back at her. “And if your mother doesn’t want you, I’ll take you back to Daekrahm—free of charge, of course,” he added with a reassuring smile.

Tyva smiled, but just before Yory could step inside, she added with a sly grin, "By the way, your smile is as ugly as your dark, rotten heart."

Yory chuckled as he entered the inn. Moments later, Lana appeared, her hair dishevelled and rubbing her eyes, clearly just waking up.

Tyva, balancing a wooden bucket of water, called out, "Lana, wash your face before breakfast."

Afterwards, Tyva served her a plate of eggs and milk. Lana, still groggy, began eating while Tyva kept her gaze on the village entrance, watching intently.

Three long hours passed, and Yory was now reading a children's storybook to Lana, who listened with rapt attention. Tyva, meanwhile, stepped into the inn for a drink of water.

In the kitchen, the innkeeper smiled warmly and handed her a bright red apple, saying, "Here you go, little one."

Tyva returned his smile with a soft "Thank you," and made her way toward the hallway, intending to head outside. But the sound of a carriage pulling up out front stopped her in her tracks. She paused, straining to catch Yory’s conversation with someone outside, though the words were too muffled to hear from where she stood.

When Tyva opened the door, her breath caught. There, standing with Yory, was her mother, Risa, cradling Lana in her arms.

A tear slipped down Tyva's cheek as Risa turned toward her, smiling warmly. Without thinking, Tyva ran to her mother. Risa passed Lana to Yory, her own eyes filling with tears as she opened her arms wide.

"Daughter!" Risa cried, her voice thick with emotion.

Tyva embraced her tightly, both of them crying yet smiling, their reunion overflowing with love and joy.

Yory noticed a flicker of sadness in Lana's expression and leaned in gently. "Remember, Lana," he said softly, "sometimes we have to say goodbye to people we love, but life is big. There are always chances to make new friends, and you have to stay strong."

Lana smiled, though the sadness still lingered in her eyes. At nearly four, she possessed an intelligence and awareness beyond her years. Whether it came from her past experiences or was simply part of who she was, only time would reveal.

Later, Yory found himself seated in Risa's office, comfortably settled in a plush chair across from her. She graciously handed him a silver cup of tea and spoke with gratitude. "Thank you for bringing my moon back to me. How much do I owe you for your services?"

Yory paused, calculating before he replied, "Fifty gold coins should cover it. That accounts for the travel, food, lodging, and the entrance fees along the way."

Risa nodded in agreement. "You'll have it by tomorrow. But tell me, you seem quite well-educated for a merchant. Did you study at a school, or was it something passed down from your family?"

Yory smiled faintly and replied, "I didn’t go to school, but I’ve learned how they work. My education came from a knight—a decent man who taught me enough to make sense of the world."

Risa listened closely, her curiosity piqued. After a thoughtful pause, she asked, "May I ask what happened in Daekrahm city? As an Alderwoman, I received reports, but the details were scarce. When I first heard, I was terrified for my daughter. It wasn’t until Falkor, a priest, sent word by an owl that she was safe—and later another letter mentioning a merchant bringing her back—that I finally felt some relief. I hadn’t eaten for days, consumed with worry."

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Yory nodded solemnly. "She’s safe now," he reassured her. "What happens next is up to you and her."

As Yory began to rise from his seat, Risa raised her hand, signalling for him to stay. "Please," she said softly, "I’d like to continue our conversation a bit longer, if you don’t mind."

Yory settled back into his chair, adjusting his posture. "Of course," he replied, his voice calm. "What would you like to talk about?"

Risa hesitated, taking a deep breath before she finally asked, "Yufs, my husband. What happened to him? I know you know something."

Yory studied her closely. The mix of sorrow and anger in her expression was unmistakable. He could sense the inner conflict—her rage over what her husband had done, and the grief of losing the man she had once loved. Yufs wasn’t just a distant figure; he was someone she had shared her life with, and Yory knew how complicated that kind of loss could be.

With a firm but compassionate tone, Yory responded, "You’ve known the truth for a while now. What more do you want me to say?"

Risa lowered her gaze, her eyes filling with old, painful memories she had tried to bury. "I know what you are," she murmured. "Word spreads fast among merchants and travellers—a demon with a sickly appearance, travelling with a brown-haired merchant known as 'the Honest One,' was seen in Daekrahm. They fought the ghouls. One of my guards has known Joe for years; he was the one who told me. So, you're the sickly-looking demon."

Yory's lips curled into a smile, though it was anything but friendly. "And?" he said, his voice edged with sarcasm. "Are you looking for applause for figuring it out?"

Risa shook her head, her expression resolute. "No," she said firmly. "I want to know if someone like you, with your knowledge and experience, knows of a way to bring my husband back. I have money, plenty of it. I can pay you, the ghouls—whoever it takes. I’ll trade whatever they ask if it means I can have Yufs back."

Yory looked at her, his eyes catching the tremble in her hands and the tears welling up in her eyes. Here was a woman, a noblewoman, clinging desperately to the hope of seeing her husband again. Despite everything she knew—despite the terrible things Yufs had done—she still longed for him. Even if he were a broken man, locked away, she wanted him back. He had been a good man to her once, a devoted husband, and that was enough to fuel her hope.

Yory sensed a faint ripple of magic in the air, prompting him to rise and open the door. Standing before him were Tyva and Lana, both dressed in elegant pink gowns, their appearance strikingly noble. Yory grinned and said with genuine admiration, "You both look stunning, Tyva, Lana. I'm impressed."

They returned his smiles warmly. But Yory's curiosity got the better of him. "Were you listening in on our conversation?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Is there something you need?"

Tyva's smile faded, and she lowered her gaze, her voice sombre as she addressed her mother. "I'm sorry, Mother, but Father died long ago."

Risa's eyes welled with tears as she listened. "I’m truly sorry, Tyva, for making you say that," she whispered, her voice heavy with regret. "I’ve been holding on to the hope that somehow, he survived."

Yory turned to Risa, shaking his head gently. His voice was firm, yet sympathetic. "No, Risa. Yufs was captured by the ghouls for his crimes—killing their people, and imprisoning their children, women, and elders. When they took him, he had to face *işgəncə*, the ancient torture the ghouls use to exact full revenge. He’s been dead for a long time. Holding out hope for his survival only prolongs your pain."

More tears flowed from Risa’s eyes, silent but steady. Tyva and Lana wrapped their arms around her, offering what comfort they could to a woman who had unknowingly loved and married a monster.

That night, Yory retreated to the quiet of his room, while Lana and Tyva settled into the Alderwoman’s building. In their new room, they joined other village girls in a small celebration, laughing, playing games, and letting the weight of the day’s events fade away.

Alone in his room, Yory opened a book, his thoughts briefly drifting. With a wry smile, he muttered to himself, "A whole day without thinking of witches, Rolf, or my battles with the ghouls. What an insane journey it’s been. Here’s to many years of peace and prosperity for me and my beloved. And please—no more fighting. I'm just a fragile mortal, after all."

The next morning, Yory stood beside his cart, ready to leave Giraf village. Lana hugged Tyva and Risa before turning to Yory, her arms stretched out, silently asking him to lift her onto the cart.

Yory gently picked her up and placed her on the cart, then looked at her and asked, "Lana, are you ready?"

Lana’s face showed a hint of sadness, but she forced a small smile and nodded.

Yory smiled softly and said, "You know, you can stay here if you want. I’m just a merchant, always on the road, and that life isn’t very easy for a little girl like you. Besides, you’ve made some good friends here. What do you think?"

Tyva glanced at Yory, her expression a mix of happiness and sorrow. Risa noticed but chose to say nothing.

Lana looked at the girls playing nearby, then at Tyva, Risa, and finally Yory. After a moment of quiet reflection, she spoke in her innocent voice, "Yory, I want to go with you."

Hearing her decision, Tyva smiled, trying to hold back her tears. Risa gently patted Tyva’s head and said, "Yory, Lana, you’re always welcome here. I’m sure, as a merchant, you’ll pass through our village someday. We’ll meet again."

Yory nodded, climbed onto the cart, and with a signal, Boris began pulling it away. Lana waved with both hands, her small voice ringing out, "Goodbye, Tyva! Goodbye, Risa! Goodbye, Giraf village! Goodbye, guards! Goodbye, everyone!"

As the cart rolled away, Tyva, Risa, the guards, and the village children waved back, calling Lana’s name until she and the cart vanished from sight. The children then broke into playful chatter, running around and shouting, "I’m Lana’s best friend!" "No, I am!" "No, I’m her best friend!"

Risa gently held Tyva's hand as they walked to her office. Once inside, Risa noticed silent tears streaming down Tyva's face. Without a word, she prepared a silver cup of tea and handed it to Tyva, softly saying, "Take a few days. The sadness will fade. This won't be the last time you see her."

Tyva nodded, her voice shaky through the tears. "I know... but she was like a sister to me. I even taught her how to speak and spell... I helped her learn the old language."

Risa stroked Tyva's hair gently. "Don't push yourself, my daughter," she said tenderly.

Tyva took a sip of her tea, tears still falling, as she murmured, "I love you, Mother."

Risa smiled warmly. "I love you too, my moon."

Meanwhile, Yory sat with a book in his hands, though his eyes weren’t on the pages. Instead, he watched Lana, who was engrossed in reading a children's book—a gift from one of her new friends.

Closing his book without reading a word, Yory glanced at Lana and gently asked, "Are you alright, Lana?"

With a smile, Lana replied, "I'm okay! Just a little sad, but I'm healthy!"

Yory smiled back and asked, "That's my little Lana. But why did you choose to stay with me? Things haven’t been easy for us these past few months."

Lana closed her book, her smile fading into something more bittersweet. "Tyva is like a sister to me, and I love her," she said softly. Then, looking up at Yory, she added, "But if I stayed there, you'd be lonely."

Without waiting for his response, she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "I can't leave you alone. Plus, Boris might eat you! I need to protect you!"

At that, Boris, their horse, let out a loud neigh, almost as if in protest. Yory paused, taking in her words, but remained silent for a moment. Lana glanced up at him, concerned. "What's wrong, Yory?"

He looked down at her, and for the first time in her young life, Lana saw Yory give a true, heartfelt smile. It was warm, genuine, and unlike any smile she'd ever seen from him before. Touched by her innocence, he said softly, "I hope life gives you as much as your pure heart, Lana."

Beaming, Lana hugged him even tighter, and Yory returned the embrace. Afterwards, they continued their journey toward the capital of Renolva, side by side.

A week later, in a small schoolhouse in Giraf village, an elderly teacher, appearing to be in his fifties, stood talking with Risa. His face was set in a frown as he grumbled, "The kids are bright, I’ll give them that. They learn quickly and are far less of a headache than the city children—especially those noble brats."

Risa nodded with a smile and said, "Teacher Gic, thank you for all your hard work. The future of this village owes much to your dedication."

Gic waved his hand dismissively, his expression annoyed. "I don’t care about the kids or their future. I just want some peace with my wife, away from everything."

Still smiling, Risa replied, "Of course, teacher."

As she was about to leave, Gic called out, "Your daughter is smart and takes things seriously. Let’s hope she doesn’t turn out like the useless nobles we’ve had before."

Risa glanced back at him, giving a polite nod, then continued on her way.

That night, after a long day of work, Risa decided to check on Tyva before going to bed. Entering her room, she found her daughter still hunched over her books, the flickering light of three candles illuminating her tired face.

"Isn't it time to rest?" Risa asked gently. "You've been studying long enough."

Tyva turned to face her, eyes red with fatigue, but she managed a weary smile. "I have to keep studying if I want to be a good person, to help my friends, my village, and my city. I can’t stop until I know enough. Besides, I promised Lana and Yory that I’d be a good host when they visit again."

Hearing those words, Risa’s heart swelled with pride for her little moon. She walked over, embracing Tyva and planting a gentle kiss on her cheek. Then, instead of urging her to bed, Risa sat beside her and helped her finish her studying faster.

They shared laughter late into that cold night, finding warmth in each other's company.