Chapter 236: They are yours (2)

"I've brought some people for you to take care of," Lucavion said, his tone casual but underlined with something more solemn.

Mariel's gaze narrowed slightly, studying the young beastkin who clung to each other, as if even standing beside Lucavion was a tentative act of trust. She could see the fatigue in their eyes, the kind of weariness that went beyond physical exhaustion. There was a story in those looks, a depth of loss and resilience that she recognized all too well.

Without a word, she approached them, her expression softening as she turned to Lucavion. "I take it these two are under your protection now?" she asked, her voice steady, though a glint of understanding flashed in her eyes.

Lucavion's gaze drifted from Mariel to the two young beastkin, his expression unreadable, a flicker of something close to regret crossing his face. "My protection… I doubt that," he murmured, his voice softened, almost distant. "I'm not exactly someone who can protect… you must already know this." His words were spoken quietly, as though more to himself than to her, but there was a steady resolve in his tone.

He looked down at Riken and Sena, his hand resting lightly on the boy's shoulder. "These ones… they're just a bunch of lost little lambs," he said, the faintest trace of sadness in his voice. It was as if he recognized their plight all too well, and perhaps even saw a part of himself reflected in their frightened, weary eyes.

Mariel felt a pang of understanding as his words sank in. She had seen it before, countless times. Children were left to fend for themselves in the crossfire of a world where wars and grudges tore through innocent lives like wildfire. They weren't common, but they weren't rare either—young souls caught in battles they had no part in, scarred by the choices of others, wandering lost with nowhere to go.

It was the brutal reality of their world, one she knew all too well. "I understand," she said softly, a hint of sorrow touching her voice. Her gaze lingered on the children, taking in the way they clung to each other, the haunted look in their eyes that betrayed too much pain for ones so young.

'Also, these ones…..they are not that bad.'

Maybe a rough life, something that was most likely not easy.

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"Lost little lambs, indeed," she murmured, her voice steadying as her resolve hardened. She looked back at Lucavion, her gaze unwavering. "You may not think of yourself as someone who can protect, Lucavion. But you've brought them here. That says more than you realize."

Lucavion gave a faint, knowing smile, his eyes glinting with a mixture of gratitude and acknowledgment. "Then I'll leave them in your capable hands, Iron Matron."

Mariel's gaze shifted from the children back to Lucavion, her expression contemplative. "What do you want for them, then?" she asked, her voice low but steady. "Do you want them to be raised for the future? To be prepared for what lies ahead for you?"

Lucavion's eyes met hers, and a flicker of something unreadable passed across his face. For a moment, he said nothing, then shook his head, a faint smile tinged with irony playing on his lips. "What, do you think I've fallen so low that I need a bunch of kids to help me fight my battles?" he replied, his tone light but his words carrying a quiet edge. He gave a small, dismissive wave of his hand as if brushing the thought away.

"No, that's not what I want for them," he continued, his voice softening as he looked at Riken and Sena. "I just want them to live like… normal children would. Or at least, as close to it as possible. Even if they'll never be like other kids, even if that innocence has been stolen from them… I want them to have something that resembles a normal life."

Mariel watched him, her expression softening slightly. She could sense the sincerity in his words, the genuine desire to give these children something more than the life they'd been thrust into. It was a rarity in their world—an aspiration that often went unfulfilled, crushed under the weight of survival and ambition.

"Well," she said, her voice thoughtful, "that may not be an easy task. But if that's what you want for them, I'll do my best to give them a chance."

Lucavion's expression lightened, his usual smirk returning. "Good. I knew you'd understand," he said, his voice tinged with a faint gratitude. "They deserve a place where they don't have to be soldiers or pawns. Just children, for as long as they can be."

Mariel nodded, her gaze shifting back to the two young beastkin. "I will try."

"Just do what you want. No one is perfect from the start."

"Heh….Here I thought, I would never get to have children."

"Well, I guess this covers your lack of getting courtship."

"..."

"Ahaha…..My bad, my bad….I guess I was not supposed to say that."

Mariel shot Lucavion a deadpan look, her lips pressing together in a mock frown, though there was a faint glint of amusement in her eyes. "You're lucky I'm too tired to throw you out for that remark," she muttered, crossing her arms as she glanced back at the children, who looked between them with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

Lucavion chuckled, raising his hands in a playful gesture of surrender. "My apologies, Iron Matron," he said, though the mischievous glimmer in his eyes hadn't faded. "I didn't mean to overstep. Just trying to lighten the mood."

Mariel rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Well, if these two are any indication," she said, nodding toward the children, "I'll have my hands full without having to worry about… courtship."

Lucavion grinned, leaning casually against the wall, clearly enjoying the rare moment of banter. "Maybe that's for the best," he replied with a shrug. "I can't picture anyone keeping up with the Iron Matron's standards, anyway."

Mariel gave him a final, skeptical look, but her expression softened as she turned her attention back to Riken and Sena, her resolve reaffirmed. "For what it's worth," she said quietly, more to herself than to Lucavion, "I'll give them what they need."

"Of that, I have no doubt," Lucavion replied, his tone softer this time, carrying a note of genuine respect.

For a moment, they stood in silence, a shared understanding passing between them. Then, with a final nod to Mariel, Lucavion straightened and gave a small wave to the children. "You're in good hands, little ones," he said, his voice carrying a warmth that belied his usual aloof demeanor.

Mariel watched him and the pink-haired girl go, her thoughts lingering on the challenge ahead.

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Raising these two wouldn't be easy, but something about the task felt right. As the door closed behind Lucavion, she looked down at the children, her gaze steady, and gave them a reassuring smile.

Her warm yet determined gaze softened as she looked down at the two young beastkin, both watching her warily yet clinging to each other as if they feared letting go might send them adrift. Riken's hand trembled faintly as if the toll of recent events was just beginning to register. Sena, though small and weary, kept her chin raised, meeting Mariel's gaze with a fragile defiance.

"Let's clean you up first," Mariel said gently, her voice filled with a kind of quiet assurance that seemed to settle over them like a balm. She reached out, a steadying hand extended in the invitation, but made no move to rush them. It was clear she understood the caution in their eyes, the remnants of a trust broken too many times to count.

Riken's gaze flickered over her hand, uncertain, but at last, he released his sister and took a tentative step forward. Sena followed, her eyes darting around the inn as though she still expected danger to lurk in every shadow. Mariel only waited, patient, until they stood beside her, exhausted yet resolute.

"There's a lot we'll need to work on together," Mariel murmured, her voice steady but understanding. "It'll take time—learning to feel safe again, to know there's a place here for you. But you don't need to be ready all at once. Just know, you're welcome here, both of you."

Sena glanced up at her, a hint of surprise in her wide, tired eyes, and for a moment, a flicker of hope softened her gaze.

With a final reassuring smile, Mariel led them toward the back of the inn. The Iron Matron's inn was always a place of transition, a stopover for travelers and wanderers, but this time felt different. Mariel had seen countless people come and go, each one carrying their own burdens, yet there was something about these two, about the fragility they hid behind those worn faces, that called to her in a way she hadn't felt in years.