Two things can be true

The night that her daughter had been born was the night a part of her had died. A part of her identity no longer deemed necessary; One responsible for selfish and irresponsible demeanour which wouldn’t serve her in giving the little Vylasar the life she deserved. For the past few days, that had been her only concern. When the handmaidens would occasionally and briefly take the baby from her hands she’d be nothing but restless, yearning for the moment when the child would be returned to her so she could make sure her needs were being met, often forgetting her own in the process. Overall, the experience of motherhood had been both exhausting and fulfilling thus far.

A soft knock on the door pulled her out of her state of faint dissociation as her attention shifted towards the exit of the room as familiar figure stepped inside. She couldn’t help but reciprocate his smile, feeling comforted by the presence of her newfound guard which had surprisingly manifested itself in the form of her beloved childhood friend. ”I suppose it could be worse,” she answered jokingly, keeping her voice down as to not wake her daughter sleeping comfortably in her arms. ”I’m not entirely sure how I’m supposed to be feeling, if I’m quite honest.” Her words were spoken lightheartedly, yet their heavy weight not entirely concealed. If there would be anyone she could let her walls down with for a brief moment, it would be this man. ”Come,” she quietly urged him to come over, using her free hand to gently pat on the empty spot beside her. ”I think it’s about time I properly introduce her to you.”

It was good to see him, truly. Spending the last few days bed bound had her yearning for some company other than the midwives and handmaidens checking up on her and Callista. Aside from her husband’s brief visitations, it had been mostly her, her daughter and the castle’s staff. A proper conversation with someone dear to her could be just the thing she needed right now.

Sometimes she wondered if her patron pitied her silent suffering. Perhaps that is why she had sent Felix back to her when her previous guard had disappeared. A reminder that not everyone would turn their back on her eventually, and loyalty did still exist. Her faint smile grew wider at his understanding words as her green eyes sought out his.

The mattress shifted slightly as he sat down to take a better look at the child, carefully caressing her cheek as the sorceress leaned in closer to her long lost friend. Their little interaction couldn’t help but make her heart flutter with joy. No matter how much her newfound role as a mother exhausted her, seeing how everyone within the castle adored this child and celebrated the birth of a new summoner filled with a sense of pride among her fatigue.

Putting her free hand on the man’s thigh she pushed herself to sit up straighter turning towards her guard as he did. ”I’m quite sure she does,” she agreed cheerfully, looking down upon her soundly sleeping daughter. ”Be careful not to wake her,” the sorceress warned him sternly but kindly before carefully handing him the child, still hovering her arms beneath his for a sense of security. As much as she enjoyed witnessing her loved light up as they got to hold the new summoner, she couldn’t help but having to fight a feeling of unease at each seperation. ”I’m glad to have you here in Lythrania, Felix,” she softly spoke as her eyes remained glued on her daughter. His sudden appearance in the underwater city certainly made up for a lot of sorrows here life beneath the sea had thrown at her thus far.