After Liliana left, the tavern was engulfed by silence.
Only two people remained—
Yet the empty space she left behind felt heavier than either of them could acknowledge.
Crimson stood by the table, her yellow eyes flickering toward the picture frames placed carefully on the wooden surface.
Her gaze settled on one image in particular—
A small boy holding his mother's hand.
His smile radiated warmth—so bright and full of life that it seemed to light up the entire picture.
Crimson's heart ached at the sight.
"You see him in her."
Her voice was soft—barely louder than a breath.
By the counter, Exios stood motionless, his broad figure hunched slightly as he stared at the glass of iced tea Liliana had left behind.
He didn't respond.
But the air around him grew heavy—drenched in unspoken grief.
Crimson patiently waited—knowing how fragile Exios's heart became whenever his son was mentioned.
A few moments passed before he finally spoke.
"She's just a child…"
His voice was deep—strained.
"…a lost child who needs someone by her side."
Crimson's gaze remained fixed on the picture frame.
"Exios... you are the one who's lost."
Her tone was gentle, but unwavering.
"You're the one in need of someone by your side."
Exios's shoulders stiffened—his calloused fingers gripping the damp cloth in his hand.
Crimson glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"If you truly believed she was just a lost child, you wouldn't be hiding her."
Exios's hand froze.
"You're trying to protect her from something..."
She paused—her yellow eyes narrowing.
"…even if you don't know what it is."
The silence between them stretched tight—like a thread on the verge of snapping.
Crimson's voice sharpened.
"And what's worse… is that you're keeping a dangerous child inside a village—where thousands of families sleep peacefully beneath their warm roofs, completely unaware that everything could be destroyed if she loses control even once."
Exios clenched his jaw.
The wet cloth in his hand twisted beneath his fingers.
"Crimson—enough."
His voice was low, steady—yet there was an edge of warning beneath the calm.
Without another word, he began wiping the table where Liliana's small hands had rested just moments ago.
Crimson's yellow eyes softened—
But she refused to back down.
"I understand that you lost your family, Exios…"
Her voice was quieter now—like she was carefully trying to stitch together something that had been shattered long ago.
"…but aren't you being selfish?"
Exios flinched—barely noticeable.
Crimson took a careful step forward.
"Right now… you're treating her as if she's your child."
For a moment, Exios's broad back remained still—
But the slight tremble in his fingers betrayed him.
He carried the glass to the sink—placing it down gently, as if he were afraid to break it.
"I'm not that foolish."
His voice was barely above a murmur.
"Her core has already weakened. You probably didn't even notice."
Crimson blinked—caught off guard by his words.
Now that she thought about it...
The first time she met the girl, the mana radiating from her was so overwhelming that it sent chills down her spine—
Yet today...
There had been nothing.
Not even the faintest ripple of energy.
Exios's voice echoed through the empty tavern.
"With the amulet on her, no one will feel her presence—not even those capable of sensing energy from miles away."
Crimson's heart clenched.
Her sharp gaze flickered toward the glass in Exios's hand—
The same glass Liliana had been drinking from earlier.
"You… all this time…"
Her voice caught in her throat.
"Have you been... suppressing her energy?"
Exios paused—his brown eyes fixed on the glass beneath the running water.
"Only her energy."
He spoke carefully—choosing his words like they might break if handled too roughly.
"I would never harm her mana. As long as she doesn't know... she'll be fine."
A long silence stretched between them.
Crimson's heart felt heavier with every second that passed.
"Still… you're fond of her."
Her voice softened—almost sad.
"You didn't deny a single thing I said."
Exios didn't respond—
But the way his shoulders slightly dropped told her enough.
By the time he finished cleaning, the sunlight had shifted behind the windows—casting long streaks of gold across the wooden floor.
Without a word, Exios reached into his pocket—
And placed several gold coins onto the counter.
"Thank you... for the items."
Crimson glanced at the coins—then back at him—her scowl deepening.
"You know I don't need these."
Her voice was sharp—
But there was a faint crack hidden beneath her defiance.
"I owe you my life, Exios. These little shiny coins are nothing."
Exios dried his hands with a cloth, his brown eyes glinting faintly.
"Then do me a favor…"
He turned to face her—
"Look out for the kid."
Crimson's heart skipped.
Her yellow eyes flicked up to meet his.
"Why… me?"
Exios leaned against the counter—his gaze steady.
"Because you're the only one I trust right now."
Crimson's lips parted slightly—
But no words came out.
"You know exactly what she is."
Exios's voice lowered.
"What if something happens to her when I'm not around?"
Crimson's heart squeezed painfully in her chest—
Because deep down...
She knew she would protect the girl.
Even if she didn't want to.
Even if it scared her.
But instead of answering, she scoffed—trying to mask her unease.
"That's your problem... not mine."
Exios smirked faintly.
"I thought you said you owed me your life?"
Crimson's face flushed red.
Her sharp tongue fumbled—
"W-well… this is different!"
Exios chuckled.
The tension between them slowly began to ease—like a storm passing.
"Just give her a chance."
He glanced at the door where Liliana had left.
"You'll like her."
Crimson stood frozen for a moment—
Her heart wavering.
"I don't want to like her."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I'm afraid of liking her… so no."
Without another word, she turned toward the door—her footsteps heavy against the wooden floor.
But just before she stepped outside—
Exios's deep voice called out behind her.
"You'll like her... eventually."
Crimson froze—
But she didn't look back.
The door creaked open—
And she disappeared into the afternoon light.
-----
"My name is Liliana."
I spoke softly, shifting my gaze between the girl's amber eyes and the two other children standing behind her.
One of them was a small girl — much smaller than the rest of us — with long curly ginger hair and dark green eyes.
Beside her stood a boy about my height, with dark copper brown hair and hazel eyes.
"My name is Amelyn!"
Before I could say anything, the braided-haired girl suddenly grabbed my hand, shaking it so intensely that my whole arm trembled along with it.
As soon as she let go, the boy stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"I'm Seifer Pierce. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Sei, why are you so embarrassing… Don't mind him!" Amelyn wrinkled her nose, shooting him a disgusted glance that made Seifer's face turn red.
"H-hi… I am Tata."
The small girl spoke in a high, delicate voice — barely loud enough to hear.
Her eyes darted nervously, clinging to Seifer's arm like a lifeline.
I found her really cute.
"Nice to meet you all."
I smiled — a smile that grew from somewhere deep within me, filling my chest with an unfamiliar warmth.
"We have two other friends, but they couldn't make it today," Amelyn added proudly.
"You'll meet them next time, promise!"
Without warning, she grabbed my arm and pulled me forward.
"Come on! We're taking you somewhere special!"
I stumbled, trying to keep up with her quick pace.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Tata struggling to catch up — her small legs barely keeping up with our steps.
"H-hey, we should—"
I stopped mid-sentence when I saw Seifer quietly take Tata's hand, helping her along without saying a word.
Amelyn glanced back at me.
"Did you say something?"
I blinked, then shook my head.
"Where are we going?"
Amelyn's smile widened.
"Oh! Hehe… we're going outside!"
I tilted my head.
"Aren't we already outside?"
"A different outside."
---
We walked for what felt like forever.
The noise of the market faded behind us, replaced by the rustling of leaves, the soft scent of earth and the distant hum of insects.
The further we went, the more the scenery changed — buildings gave way to wide fields and tall, swaying trees.
When we finally reached the clearing, Amelyn spun around with her arms wide open.
"I told you! A different outside!"
The sight before me left me breathless.
An enormous cherry weeping tree stood at the center of the field — its long pink petals dancing in the breeze.
Surrounding the tree were thousands of white dandelions, stretching out as far as my eyes could see.
The wind picked up, scattering the delicate petals into the sky like whispers of snow.
"It's beautiful…"
I whispered without realizing it.
Amelyn grinned.
"This is the village's national park! Every village has its own special park. This one is ours."
The sea of white dandelions instantly reminded me of something.
A faint image flickered in my mind —
A meadow covered in violet spider lilies.
A crystal lake reflecting the endless sky.
"Is there… a village with purple flowers everywhere? And a giant lake?"
Amelyn thought hard, tapping her chin.
"Not that I know of."
I looked back at the dandelions.
'Maybe... I really did dream that place up'.
I sat down in the grass, letting the dandelions brush against my fingers.
Amelyn dropped down beside me, both of us staring up at the sky as the wind carried petals into the endless blue, while the other two were busy running around—their chattering was heard from a distance.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
"You know… we saw you watching us from the windows."
I turned my head toward Amelyn.
"But we were a little scared to play with you."
I blinked.
"Why?"
Her amber eyes softened.
"Three years ago, there was a boy who used to play with us every day... His name was Laith."
Amelyn smiled faintly, but her voice trembled.
"He was my crush too — but don't tell anyone."
I smiled.
"I won't."
"He was funny… sweet... always making the most embarrassing jokes without even regretting them."
She paused.
"But one day... he disappeared."
I listened quietly, not interrupting.
"We prepared a funeral for him… but I know he's not dead. They just haven't found the body yet."
Amelyn sat up, brushing the petals from her hair.
"So... why were you afraid of me?"
She paused, lowering her gaze.
"Laith lived in that house.
The tavern you live in."
My eyes widened, as I was taken aback.
A flash of memories flickered through my mind.
The picture frames hung on the walls of the tavern.
The little boy with the warm smile.
The way he held his mama's and papa's hands.
'Sir Exios's son.'
She glanced toward the sky.
"So… we were scared of losing another friend."
I remained still, staring at her.
Amelyn turned her gaze at me, holding out her pinky finger.
Her lips curved into a small, sad smile.
"Promise us... you won't disappear like Laith did."
I stared at her small hand — before curling my own pinky around hers.
"I promise."