Hours passed, and silence returned to the forest. Ren sat beside the fire, staring at the shining stars, while Lianna lay on the ground, sleeping under his cloak.
Her foot rested on Silya as her wounds slowly healed. For the first time, Lianna slept peacefully without running or being chased.
Anna stirred and woke up, sleep still on her face. She moved closer to Ren, then her head slowly turned toward Lianna.
"Hm… Papa… who is she?" Anna asked while rubbing her eyes.
Ren glanced at Anna in his arms for a moment before looking back at the fire.
"Someone who will travel with us for a while," he said calmly.
Anna blinked sleepily and looked at Lianna again. The elf was still sleeping quietly under the cloak, her long ears slightly visible.
"She's pretty… like a fairy."
"Yeah. She's pre—"
Ren noticed that Anna had already fallen asleep again. He smiled slightly as Anna rested on his thigh, then he gently brushed her hair.
The fire crackled quietly as the night grew deeper. The forest was calm, and the cool wind moved softly through the trees.
Ren looked at the two girls sleeping. Anna rested peacefully on his thigh, while Lianna slept under the cloak, her breathing slow and steady.
For a moment, Ren said nothing. He simply stared at the flames dancing in front of him.
"…Looks like I picked up another troublesome one," he murmured quietly.
Silya made a small sound and curled beside Lianna's foot, continuing to heal the last of her wounds.
Ren slowly lay down on the ground. Above them, countless stars filled the night sky.
Tomorrow, they would reach the next town. And with it… new problems would surely come.
Morning arrived, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. Anna walked beside Ren, gripping his shirt tightly, while Lianna followed quietly behind them.
After several curious glances, Anna finally whispered, "Papa, who is she?"
Ren glanced back for a moment, looking at Lianna walking a few steps behind them.
"She's someone who will travel with us for a while," Ren replied calmly.
Anna tilted her head and looked back again. Lianna quickly lowered her gaze when she noticed Anna looking at her.
Anna held Ren's shirt tighter. "Is she shy?"
"Maybe," Ren said.
Lianna quietly followed them, her cloak covering most of her body. Her steps were still careful, but they were much better than last night.
The road stretched forward, and the morning air was cool and fresh, after walking for a while, Anna suddenly spoke again.
"What is her name, Papa?"
Ren glanced back again. "Her name is Lianna," he said calmly.
Anna repeated the name quietly. "Lianna…" Then she turned her body slightly and waved her small hand.
"Hello, Lianna!"
Lianna froze for a moment when Anna suddenly spoke to her. She looked surprised, clearly not expecting it.
After a short hesitation, Lianna slowly raised her hand and gave a small wave back. Anna's eyes brightened.
"She waved back, Papa!" Anna said happily.
Ren only glanced back briefly. "Yeah, I saw."
Lianna lowered her hand again and quietly followed behind them. But this time, her steps seemed a little lighter than before.
The road continued through the forest, and the sunlight slowly grew brighter as the morning went on.
"Why doesn't she speak?" Anna asked.
Ren glanced back at Lianna for a moment. "She can't," he replied calmly.
Anna blinked in surprise and looked back again. Lianna lowered her gaze when she noticed Anna staring at her.
"Oh…" Anna said quietly.
For a moment, Anna stayed silent. Then she loosened her grip on Ren's shirt and took a few small steps back, ren noticed but did not stop her.
Anna walked slowly toward Lianna, her small steps careful.
"Hello… I'm Anna." Anna said softly, smiling at her.
Lianna looked surprised. She hesitated for a moment before giving a small, shy nod, Anna smiled brighter.
Then she quickly ran back to Ren and grabbed his shirt again.
"She's nice," Anna whispered.
Ren continued walking along the road. The forest slowly began to thin, and the trees were not as dense as before.
Anna swung her arms as she walked beside him, still holding the edge of his shirt, behind them, Lianna followed quietly, after a while, Anna peeked back again.
"Papa… can Lianna stay with us?" she asked.
Ren glanced at her. "She already is, for now."
Anna smiled happily.
Behind them, Lianna heard the conversation. She lowered her head slightly, her hands holding the edge of the cloak.
The morning road stretched forward. A soft breeze moved through the grass beside the path.
After walking for some time, Ren finally spoke. "We'll reach the town soon."
Anna's eyes lit up. "A town?"
"Yeah."
"Will there be food?"
Ren gave a small nod. "Probably."
Anna grinned widely.
Behind them, Lianna quietly looked ahead as well. In the distance, far beyond the road, faint rooftops could finally be seen rising above the tbefor
When the afternoon came, they were still walking along the long road. Soon, Dartmoth came into view, and Ren could see the town from far away.
Anna shouted excitedly. "Papa! I see the town!"
"I know. I see it too," Ren replied.
Then Anna glanced at Lianna, but she saw something unexpected. Lianna suddenly began trembling violently, hugging herself tightly.
"Lianna…?" Anna said softly, not knowing how to react.
Ren noticed Anna suddenly becoming quiet. He glanced at her, but then he froze when he saw Lianna trembling in fear.
Ren quickly realized something was wrong. He immediately walked toward Lianna, leaving Anna behind.
Anna saw something that looked familiar. Lianna was trembling in fear, just like when Anna once saw her own mother trembling like that.
Suddenly, Silya jumped onto Anna's head.
Anna quickly snapped back to herself.
Ren gripped Lianna's shoulders and shook her. "Lianna! Lianna!" But she did not calm down.
Ren realized he had no choice but to use his power again, because no matter what he did, she would not stop trembling.
Suddenly, Lianna became quiet. She immediately fell asleep and collapsed into Ren's arms. Ren carried her and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
"What is happening to her? Did she remember her trauma again? Or is she afraid of this town when she saw it?" Ren said to himself.
Then Ren sighed.
"That's why I don't want anyone to stay with me… Too many things to worry about," he said to himself.
Then Anna ran to Ren while Lianna was being carried on Ren's back.
"Papa… what happened to Lianna?" Anna asked.
"She is just tired," Ren replied. "Let's go."