historical

By the time, the first orange hued rays of the sunrise peeked in through the windows, Lily was already awake. She was still clinging to Aiden's chest. She loved to listen to her steady breathing, it calmed her mind. In fact, it was this rhythm that eventually managed to bring her to sleep.

Looking at his resting face, she giggled, as she snuggled into his chest one last time, before reluctantly leaving him, and standing up.

"Rest well, brother! I will work hard today, so you can be proud of me when you finally wake up!"

Halfway to the door, she stopped, and with another giggle, she quickly scurried back and gave a peck on his cheeks. Then, giggling at her own mischief, she went to the bathroom to freshen up for the morning.

By the time she left the room, the dining table was already set, and both Number 3 and Granny was waiting for her.

Seeing her up and ready for the day, Granny couldn't help but think back to the little princess who used to yawn, still sleepy, still in her pajamas, as she came for her breakfast.

"Good Morning Lily. Are you feeling better?" Granny asked with her trademark gentle smile plastered on her face.

"Good Morning Granny, Good Morning Master! Yes, I'm much better!" she replied cheerfully.

Number 3 who was silently sipping from her tea, looked at her, and with an expressionless face, she curtly asked.

"How is he?"

Not minding her rude tone, Lilly giggled happily, thinking back to the kiss she gave him and cheerfully replied.

"Brother is still resting! He must still be tired!"

Number 3 gave a low "Hmmm.." in response and simply continued to silently sip from her tea, not minding them in the slightest. She had a lot to accomplish today and was already thinking about them.

"Sit down dearie and enjoy a good breakfast with us!" Granny invited Lily, which she gladly accepted.

As they filled their plates and started enjoying the morning meal, Number 3 looked at Granny, signaling her to start the discussion.

Understanding the intent, she sighed and looked at Lilly.

"Dearie, we have something very important to talk to you about."

"Hmm?" She asked, looking like a hamster with her cheeks filled to the brim with food.

"Oh gosh, swallow it down first. You are a lady, act like one!" Number 3 grumbled.

Chewing down the contents of her mouth, almost a minute had to pass before she could talk again. Embarrassed, she lowered her head as she answered.

"Ahh, sorry master!"

"It's alright Lily. Now, listen to Granny as what she needs to discuss with you is important, okay?" Number 3 answered.

"Sure master!" Then, turning towards Granny, Lily asked with curiosity shining in her eyes.

"Yes, Granny?"

Granny looked at her, wondering how she would react when she hears what they are about to ask of her. Would her cheerful smile fade, she wondered.

"Lily..." she began. "You are no longer that small little princess, that used to be scared of everything. You are such a strong, brave girl now, it always amazes me."

"I have promised brother that I will no longer be weak, and scared! I have to be strong, for him!" Lily interrupted with fervent determination shining in her eyes.

Hearing this, Number 3 smiled as she continued to sip her tea.

"That's very good, and just as luck would have it, you will get the chance to prove it to yourself and Aiden today."

"Oh?" Lily grew curious upon hearing Granny mention her brother.

"Hehe, you could finally be his big and experienced sister, guiding him when he wakes up. He would be the one that would follow your lead. So, are you interested?" Asked Granny, smiling.

Lily could barely contain herself when she heard Granny's sales pitch. Raising her hands to the air, she eagerly replied.

"YESS! What can I do?! Tell me, Granny!"

"Hehe, dearie, it is simple. You and Aiden both finished the training and because of that, you both are very strong. However, you guys have no experience from the outside world. To fix that, you will go with your master to the city and register as an adventurer! Spend some time, do some easy requests, and get to know the people and the area. Now, it's important for you to know that Number 3 will only take you to the city and will not stay with you, you will be left alone. Can you handle that?"

At first, Lily got slightly startled when she heard she would be left alone as she hated that more than anything. However, during more than once, inside the Pocket World, they had to go separately to complete their own trials, so it wouldn't be the first time. So, after a few seconds, she had a resolute look in her eyes and nodded.

"Yes, Granny! It will not be a problem. Besides, I will only take tasks that I can complete during the day, and I can come back for the nights! I will not leave my brother alone for the nights!" she exclaimed.

"Good, in this case, go and prepare for the journey. Remember, there is no Aiden this time to carry your stuff, so pack whatever you think you will need for the day. I will wait for you at the front." Number 3 said as she put her now-empty cup down to the table. Standing up, she began walking towards the front door without waiting for Lily's response.

"Yes, master! Just a few minutes and I will pack my stuff!" Lily jumped up and bolted towards her room.

Seeing how excited Lily was, contrary to what she expected, Granny just looked at the back of the little girl as she scurried to her shared room.

"Huh.. she changed so much, I can hardly recognize her. To think that just a few years ago, she would have cried." Then turning towards the window, she gazed at the distance, not really focusing on anything in particular. She muttered, mostly to herself.

"Oh Madelaine, my dear apprentice, if you could see your daughter now, what would you say, how would you feel? Would you be happy, proud?" Then, she stood up, and went into the kitchen, to pack some sweet little desserts for her.

---

A short while later, a young blonde-haired girl and a feminine figure were strolling on a footpath that was barely visible by the thick forest floor. Lily was humming happily as she walked beside Number 3.

Number 3 tried to contain her curiosity, but upon seeing how happy and nonchalant the little blonde girl was, she couldn't hold back anymore. She stopped, causing Lily to halt her steps as well, as she looked at her Master with a curious expression.

"Is there something on your mind, Master?" she asked.

"Yes, Lily. Tell me, how can you be so happy and cheerful when you know Aiden still hasn't woken up? Don't you worry about him?" Number 3 asked. Although her black faceless mask now covered her face, it was clear from her tone that she was anxious.

Lily giggled at her question, and with her bright smile, she answered.

"It is simple, really. I know he is alright, and that he would want me to look forward. Worrying about him would not solve anything. I know he will wake up, and by then, I will be a great adventurer, and he will have to listen to her experienced big sister!"

Sighing, she was about to reply but instead chose against it. In the end, she nodded her mask-covered head.

"I see. You really are incredible sometimes.."

A short while later, as they arrived at the edges of the forest and could see the city walls, Number 3 stopped once again. Looking at Lily, she said.

"This is as far as I can take you, Lily. Remember what we talked about when we first met. I can't take you any further, from this point, you will have to rely on yourself. However.." As she said that, she pulled out a small, golden medallion in the form of an eagle's head. and the upper part of its body, the raised wings. Its eyes were tiny green emeralds and they emitted a faint barely visible light. You could feel a faint presence emanating from it.

As she pulled it out, she hid the medallion in a small black leather pouch and placed it around Lily's neck. As she placed it around Lily's neck, she continued. "This amulet will keep you safe. Just make sure you keep it on you at all times."

"Sure master!" Lily replied cheerfully and was about to step out but was pulled back by Number 3.

She hid the amulet under Lily's clothes, making sure none of it was visible, as she lightly berated the girl.

"Wait until I finish, you silly girl! Make absolutely sure that nobody can see it, okay? This amulet is incredibly precious, nobody can know that you are its owner, not even Granny or Aiden. Got that?"

"Even brother? But I.." she asked, however, she was cut short, as Number 3 placed her index finger on her lips sealing it.

"Not even Aiden. This is very important! If anybody would happen to know that you have this, it will cause you and your loved ones endless troubles. Promise me you will keep it safe, and you will not let anybody see it, Lily!"