The morning sun bathed the room in soft, golden light. Birds chirped gently outside the window as a calm breeze flowed through the slightly open curtains.
Noah blinked awake first. Lyra was still asleep next to him, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. Her expression was soft, peaceful. She hadn't clung to him tightly, nor curled up in fear like she used to. This time… she simply rested, as if she finally trusted that she could.
He smiled and gently brushed a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.
It still felt surreal. But it was real.
He looked around the room. Scarlett had fallen asleep on the chair, a blanket thrown over her shoulders. Layla was sprawled out in her usual starfish position, halfway off the bed, snoring lightly.
He chuckled softly.
It felt like a strange little family. But it was his family.
And nothing in the world could replace that.
Later that morning, after everyone had freshened up and scarfed down breakfast in the inn's dining hall, Noah stood at the doorway with his coat flung over his shoulder. He turned around and grinned.
"Alright, team. First full quest day since Layla's recovery."
Scarlett gave a little cheer. "Finally! I've been getting bored. My blade's itching for some action."
Layla, now fully dressed in her usual sleek dark outfit with her scythe strapped behind her back, twirled a strand of her long black hair and tilted her head innocently. "Awww~ So my dear husband wants to bring his wives into danger already?"
Noah rolled his eyes. "You're the one who begged to come."
"True," she said with a wink.
Lyra stood a few steps behind him, a quiet confidence resting in her posture. There was still a faint blush on her face from the night before, but she didn't hide behind her hair anymore.
As they prepared to leave, she gently tugged Noah's sleeve.
"Noah," she said softly, "can I… say something before we go?"
He nodded and stepped back as the girls turned to listen.
"I just wanted to thank you all," she said, looking directly at them this time. "I wasn't easy to deal with. I pushed everyone away. I thought… if I opened up, I'd be betrayed again. Like I was after my mother died."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"People acted kind when I was useful. But once I was weak, alone… they left. Or worse—they pretended to care, then twisted the knife. I stopped trusting anyone because it was easier to be cold than to hope again."
She looked at Noah, her expression softening.
"But you didn't leave. Not when I was closed off. Not when I lashed out. You stayed, and you saw me."
Layla walked over and gently placed a hand on Lyra's shoulder. "We all have our past, Lyra. But now, you've got us. We're not leaving you behind."
Scarlett smiled. "You're strong, and we're stronger together."
Noah stepped closer and squeezed her hand. "And I meant what I said last night. I'll never break your trust."
Lyra nodded, wiping a tear that slipped down her cheek.
Then, to everyone's surprise, she gave a small, genuine smile. "Alright. Let's go on a quest. I want to test this 'family' I've joined."
Layla snorted. "Family? Excuse me, I'm his wife, thank you very much."
Scarlett smirked. "If you're the wife, what does that make me?"
Layla grinned devilishly. "The first mistress?"
Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable."
Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is going to be a long day."
As they stepped out into the sunlit street, ready to head toward the guild, Layla walked alongside Noah and whispered with a teasing glint in her eyes:
"So… how was your first kiss with Lyra, hmm?"
Lyra immediately flushed. "Layla—!"
But Layla leaned in and whispered again, loud enough for everyone to hear: "Was it spicy? Did you bite him? I imagine you're a little biter."
Scarlett burst out laughing. "Layla!"
Noah groaned. "You're never going to let me live this down, are you?"
Layla winked. "Nope. You're mine, remember? I get all the teasing rights."
Lyra swatted her on the arm, but the corners of her mouth curled upward as she tried—and failed—to hold back a smile.
Despite all the chaos and noise, Noah's heart felt calm.
He looked at his three companions—all different, all powerful, all broken in their own way.
But now, they weren't broken alone.
They were healing.
Together.
End of the chapter..