The morning sunlight filtered through the fabric of the tent, casting soft golden hues over the quiet space. Fiona sat cross-legged on the ground, idly tapping her fingers against her knee while Lily finished getting dressed.
The little girl fumbled with the straps of her boots, her small hands struggling with the worn leather.
Fiona watched her for a moment before sighing.
"…You're terrible at this," she muttered.
Lily pouted up at her. "I can do it myself!"
Fiona raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. She folded her arms and waited, watching as Lily continued to struggle.
A full minute passed.
Then another moments had passed.
Lily's brows furrowed in frustration, her lips pursing as she yanked at the strap.
Fiona sighed again.
"Alright, that's enough," she said, reaching down.
"Give me your foot."
Lily huffed but obediently lifted her foot toward Fiona.
Fiona made quick work of the strap, securing it properly. Then she did the same with the other boot.
"There. Done."
Lily stared at her.
Then—
"…You're surprisingly really good at this, Jeannie."
Fiona paused.
Something about the way Lily said it—like it was the most natural thing in the world—made Fiona's stomach twist.
'Good at this? Hell if i know, i only read your sister's memory, Little girl....'
She wasn't good at anything soft.
She was a figure of fear, not someone who helped a teen girl put on their shoes.
And yet—
Fiona clicked her tongue. "Don't make a habit of it, Lily.." she muttered, standing up.
"I won't always be around to help you, you know?"
Lily blinked at her, her expression unreadable.
"…You say that again," she mumbled.
Fiona stiffened. "Hmm, say what?"
Lily swung her feet over the edge of the cot, staring down at them.
"You always say you 'won't be around forever.'" Her voice was quiet. "But… you're still here."
Fiona froze.
Something in Lily's voice made her chest feel uncomfortably tight.
"…Of course I am," she said after a moment.
Lily finally looked up at her, eyes wide. "Really?"
Fiona hesitated.
What was she supposed to say?
That she still didn't know what she was doing?
She wasn't supposed to be here at all? That She had once been a completely different person— an Archdemon who had ruled through fear?
That this warmth, this closeness, was foreign to her?
But when she saw the way Lily was looking at her—hopeful, uncertain, waiting—Fiona found herself sighing.
"…Yeah. Really."
Lily's expression brightened.
And for some reason, that made something in Fiona's chest ache.
She was breaking down walls Fiona didn't even know she still had.
By the time they stepped outside, the camp was already alive with movement. Soldiers and mercenaries bustled around, checking their equipment, preparing rations, tending to the wounded. The battle with Aldric's rogue knights had left plenty of injuries, though thankfully, there are not too many casualties on their side.
Marianne stood near a supply wagon, speaking with one of the knights. She turned when she saw them, offering a small wave.
"Morning, you two," she said.
"Morning!" Lily chirped, running up to her.
Fiona followed at a slower pace.
Marianne gave her a knowing look. "Did you sleep at all?"
Fiona rolled her eyes. "I don't need sleep."
Marianne smirked. "Heh! Lily says otherwise."
Fiona scowled. "That little—"
Lily giggled.
Marianne just bursted our and laughed.
Fiona clicked her tongue but didn't press the issue. Instead, she glanced around at the busy camp.
"…How bad is it?" she asked.
Marianne's expression sobered.
"Not as bad as it could've been. Most of the wounded will recover in a few weeks. Supplies took a hit, though. Last time before the battle, Aldric's men burned part of our stockpile in the warehouse before retreating from Vernetia."
Fiona frowned. "Great. Just what we needed."
Marianne sighed. "Yeah. We'll have to resupply, and we should go to the town nearby around the outside of the kingdom."
Fiona folded her arms, thinking.
They had won the battle, but Aldric was still out there.
Marianne was indeed believe in Aldric, tried to trust him one more time. So Fiona would did the same.
However, even if they wanted to forgave him, if Aldric did not listen for the next time, they wouldn't hold back. Besides, Aldric was only one of the Rogue knights commander. There are some leaders out there who were still unknown.
Fiona exhaled sharply. "Let's just get this over with, if that damn Aldric still trying to do something stupid, you know exactly what to do." she muttered.
Marianne studied her for a moment before nodding. "Agreed."
Lily looked between them, frowning slightly. "You two always talk like that."
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
Lily pursed her lips.
"Like you're waiting for something bad to happen."
Fiona and Marianne exchanged glances.
Then—
"…That's because we are," Fiona admitted.
Lily's frown deepened.
But before she could say anything else, a shout rang out from the far end of camp.
Everyone turned.
A knight sprinted toward them, his face pale.
"Captain Marianne! Urgent news!" he panted. "A messenger just arrived from the capital—it's about the Rogue knights!"
Fiona's expression darkened.
'Huhh, There they are again...'
Inside the command tent, the atmosphere was tense. The messenger—a young man with dust-covered armor—stood at attention, his breathing still heavy from travel.
Marianne motioned for him to speak.
The messenger swallowed. "We've received reports from several towns along the eastern border—The Rogue knights has begun recruiting."
Fiona's eyes narrowed. "Recruiting?"
"Yes, ma'am," the messenger said grimly. "They're gathering mercenaries, rogue knights, and even farmers. He's promising wealth, power, and freedom to any who join him."
Marianne's grip tightened on the table. "How many so far?"
The messenger hesitated.
"…Hundreds. Possibly more, it could be thousand at anytime.."
The room fell into silence.
Fiona clenched her jaw.
She had known the Rogue Knightss wouldn't give up.
Marianne exhaled slowly, her expression unreadable,
"What about Aldric? Did you see him there?"
The Scout was surprised, then suddenly answered.
"Captain, We did not see Aldric there, and we did not hear any news about him outside the kingdom."
Marianne's breath suddenly calmer.
'It seems that he still know what he should not do..'
Marianne sighed and started to speak.
"Then we don't have much time."
Fiona glanced at her.
There was a cold determination in Marianne's eyes—a sharp contrast to the woman who had once hesitated in battle.
She had changed.
Fiona didn't know whether to be impressed… or concerned.
Marianne turned back to the messenger. "Tell the capital to prepare defenses at anytime. We'll deal with this ,and decided what we will do before it gets worse."
The messenger bowed and hurried out.
Fiona leaned against the table, exhaling sharply.
"Well," she muttered. "Looks like things just got interesting.
Marianne gave her a wry smile. "You say that like it's a good thing."
Fiona smirked.
"…Maybe it is."