The fire had long since died down to embers, casting a dim, reddish glow over the small campsite. The sounds of the night—crickets chirping, the distant howl of wolves, the rustling of leaves in the wind—filled the silence.
Fiona sat still, her back against the log, staring at the girl nestled against her side.
Lily.
After hearing the news about The Rogue Knights movement, Fiona and Marianne was ordered by the head commander Alfonso to investigate their intentions together with several knights and some caravan.
However, this time, Lily refused to leave her sister alone, and Fiona,at the end of the day, could only let her join in the journey.
Now the stubborn girl had fallen asleep clutching her hand, her small fingers curled tightly around Fiona's own. Even now, her grip hadn't loosened, as if afraid Fiona might disappear the moment she let go.
Fiona exhaled softly.
This girl...
She had wormed her way into Fiona's life so easily, and before she even realized it—Fiona had started to care.
'Damn it. I don't want to admit that i like this feeling....'
She glanced at the sleeping girl's peaceful face and sighed, rubbing her temple.
"…You really don't know what you're doing to me, do you?" she muttered under her breath.
Lily stirred slightly in her sleep, shifting closer to Fiona's side.
Fiona didn't move.
She could feel the warmth of Lily's small body, the gentle rhythm of her breathing.
It was... strange.
She had never experienced something like this before. Not in her past life. Not as the Archdemon.
Back then, she had been feared, but no one had ever trusted her like this. No one had ever curled up beside her like she was something safe and warm.
She wasn't sure how to feel about it.
And yet, she didn't pull away.
Not even when a cold wind swept through the camp, sending a chill down her spine.
Not even when memories of her past threatened to surface again.
She simply sat there, holding Lily's small hand in her own, deep in thought.
----------------------------------------
The first rays of dawn peeked over the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and gold.
Fiona stretched, cracking her stiff shoulders. Sleeping against a log all night wasn't exactly comfortable, but… well.
It wasn't bad.
She glanced down at Lily, who was still curled up beside her, hugging Fiona's cloak like a blanket.
'She's really something else, huh?'
Fiona smiled wryly and gently shook the girl awake.
"Oi. Wake up, sleepy princess.."
Lily groaned, burying her face deeper into the fabric.
"…Five more minutes," she mumbled sleepily.
Fiona rolled her eyes. "We don't have time for five more minutes. The camp's already waking up. If you don't get up now, Marianne's gonna—"
"Jeannie! Lily!"
Too late.
Marianne's voice rang out as she strode toward them, hands on her hips, looking far too awake for this early in the morning.
Fiona let out a dramatic sigh. "And there she is."
Lily grumbled and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Morning, Big sis Marianne…"
Marianne gave her a small, amused smile before shifting her gaze to Fiona.
"You stayed out all night?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Fiona shrugged. "This girl wanted company."
Marianne's gaze softened as she looked at Lily.
Lily yawned and stretched before suddenly latching onto Fiona's arm. "Jeannie's really warm," she mumbled.
Fiona froze.
Marianne grinned.
"…Oh?"
Fiona scowled. "Not, in a Word."
Marianne held up her hands in mock innocence.
"I didn't say anything~"
Fiona groaned and pried Lily off her arm.
"Alright, alright. We need to get moving anyway."
Lily pouted but obediently stood up, brushing the dust off her dress.
Marianne watched them for a moment, then smirked.
"You know," she said casually, "it's funny."
Fiona narrowed her eyes. "…What is?"
Marianne tilted her head. "A few months ago, you were convinced you didn't need anyone. And now, here you are, acting like a big sister."
Fiona choked and felt embarrassed.
"What?! Listen here, i AM NOT—"
Lily suddenly grabbed her hand again.
"Can we have breakfast together, Jeannie?"
Fiona's mouth opened. Then closed.
She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. "Fine. Whatever."
Lily beamed.
Marianne snickered. "A big, responsible sister..I see—"
"I WILL BURN YOUR CAMP DOWN."
Lily giggled, and Marianne just laughed harder.
Fiona groaned, muttering under her breath. 'This is my life now, huh?'
She wasn't sure how she got here.
But as Lily tugged her toward the food tent, still holding her hand, Fiona thought...
Maybe it wasn't so bad.
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long golden rays over the camp. The smell of fresh bread and stew drifted through the air, carried by the chatter of knights and mercenaries preparing for the day ahead.
Fiona sat at a rough wooden table, Lily pressed against her side, happily munching on a piece of bread.
"…You're sitting too close," Fiona muttered.
Lily, without missing a beat, scooted even closer and smiled up at her.
"Jeannie is warm."
Fiona exhaled through her nose. "You said that already."
"I meant it."
Fiona rolled her eyes, but she didn't push her away. Instead, she absentmindedly reached for her cup of water, taking a sip as Marianne slid into the seat across from her.
"You're surprisingly patient with her," Marianne noted, resting her chin on her hand.
Fiona raised a brow. "And?"
Marianne smirked. "It's cute somehow."
Fiona choked on her drink.
Marianne leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying herself.
"Oh! Come on," Fiona grumbled, setting down her cup.
Marianne just chuckled, glancing at Lily. "You really love her that much, don't you?"
Lily nodded vigorously.
"Jeannie is the best! She's strong, and cool, and—"
"I get it, I get it," Fiona interrupted, rubbing her temple.
Marianne hummed. "You know, when I first met you, I never thought I'd see you like this."
Fiona frowned. "Like what?"
Marianne gave her a knowing smile. "Letting someone in. You are too cold in the past, and even if you love Lily very much, you did not show it off like this.."
Fiona's expression stiffened.
She glanced at Lily, who had returned to happily eating her bread, oblivious to the shift in mood.
For a long time, Fiona had lived her life alone. It was easier that way. No attachments. No vulnerabilities.
And yet…
Lily wasn't something she could just ignore.
"…It's different," Fiona muttered.
Marianne tilted her head. "How so?"
Fiona hesitated.
She wasn't sure she could explain it properly.
But before she could answer, a loud commotion erupted from the other side of camp.
Voices were raised. Boots pounded against the dirt.
A knight sprinted toward them, his face pale.
"Captain! We have a problem!"
Marianne immediately stood up.
"Not in the morning again....What happened?"
The knight caught his breath, then blurted out—
"Someone set fire to one of our supply wagon!"
Fiona's eyes narrowed.
"…Are you kidding me?"
By the time they reached the supply area, the burned wagon was already left nothing.
Some crates of rations had been overturned, sacks of grain split open, and the firewas almost spread to one of the tents. Luckily, the fire had gone.
Marianne barked orders. "Everybody stay here and stay on guard! Prepare for anything!"
Fiona clenched her jaw as she scanned the scene.
This wasn't an accident.
Someone did this on purpose.
And she was going to find out who.
She turned on her heel and grabbed the nearest soldier. "Did anyone see anything?"
The man gulped. "I—uh—one of the guards said they saw a hooded figure running toward the eastern woods!"
Fiona didn't wait and started to rush and find that hooded figure.
The wind howled past her as she ran, her cloak billowing behind her. The trees blurred as she moved, her sharp eyes locked onto the faint footprints in the dirt.
She caught a glimpse of movement ahead—a shadow slipping between the trees.
'Heh! Got you.'
Fiona picked up speed. She wasn't using her full power—just enough to be faster than any ordinary human.
The figure ahead turned sharply, ducking behind a fallen log.
Fiona leapt over it effortlessly.
"You're not getting away," she growled.
The hooded figure swerved, but Fiona was already closing in. She reached out—
Gotcha.
Her fingers latched onto the figure's cloak.
With a sharp yank, she pulled them backward, sending them tumbling to the ground.
The hood fell away.
Fiona's eyes widened.
"…A kid?!!"
The thief—a scrawny boy, no older than twelve—looked up at her with wide, terrified eyes.
His face was streaked with dirt, his clothes tattered.
And he was shaking.
Fiona narrowed her eyes.
She had been expecting a spy. Or a rogue knight.
But instead—
She had only caught a starving child.
The boy trembled under her gaze, his breath ragged.
"I-I didn't mean to—"
Fiona exhaled slowly, crouching down. "Explain to me, now!."
The boy flinched. "I-I just wanted food… I thought if I set a fire, people would be distracted, and I could steal something to eat…"
Fiona frowned.
'So it wasn't sabotage. Just desperation....my Gosh!'
She looked at him—really looked at him.
Beneath the dirt and rags, he was thin. Too thin.
She could see his ribs pressing against his torn shirt.
"…Where are your parents, boy?" she asked.
The boy's expression darkened with a small sign of sadness.
"…They....they were already gone...."
Fiona felt something tighten in her chest.
She stared at him for a long moment.
Then, without a word, she reached into her pouch and pulled out a piece of bread.
She tossed it to him.
The boy caught it, looking up at her in confusion.
"…Eat it," she said flatly.
He hesitated. But then, as if his hunger had won over his fear, he devoured the bread in seconds.
Fiona sighed, standing up. "Come on."
The boy flinched. "W-What?"
"You want more food, don't you?"
she muttered. "Then come back with me."
The boy looked stunned. "You're… not gonna kill me?"
Fiona raised a brow, felt a little offended "Do I look like I kill starving children in your eyes?"
The boy paled. "Uh… maybe?"
Fiona groaned, rubbing her face.
Marianne was going to laugh at her for this.
"…Just follow me, brat."
And with that, Fiona turned and began walking back to camp.
The boy hesitated.
Then, slowly, he followed.