Chapter 84
The three of us were just rolling up our sleeves and preparing to clean and tidy the house when the quiet was suddenly broken by a loud growl.
It came from Lucia's stomach.
Lucia froze, then slowly lowered her head, her small hands clutching the hem of her clothes. Her cheeks flushed red as she forced an awkward smile.
"Ah… s-sorry, mister," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "I… I haven't eaten yet."
For a moment, there was silence.
Alex blinked, then turned his head toward Astrid. Astrid met his gaze, and without saying a word, the two of them exchanged a knowing look. A gentle smile formed on Astrid's lips, while Alex let out a quiet chuckle.
"Well," Alex said as he straightened up and stretched his arms, "looks like cleaning can wait."
Astrid nodded in agreement, placing a hand on Lucia's shoulder and giving it a light, reassuring squeeze. "An empty stomach is more dangerous than a messy house."
Lucia looked up at them in surprise, her eyes widening slightly.
Alex smiled warmly down at her. "Come on. Let's grab some breakfast first."
With that, the decision was made. The three of us stepped out together, heading toward Whiterun to fill our stomachs before lifting a single broom.
We made our way to the Bannered Mare, its heavy wooden door creaking softly as Alex pushed it open. The morning air inside was warm and calm, carrying the faint scent of baked bread and stew. Sunlight streamed in through the small windows, casting golden lines across the wooden tables and the worn floorboards. Unlike the noisy, smoke-filled nights, the tavern was quiet—only a few early patrons sat scattered around, murmuring softly over their meals while the crackle of the hearth filled the silence.
Alex walked in as if it were second nature, stretching his shoulders and heading straight toward an empty table. Astrid followed close behind, her boots tapping confidently against the floor, while Lucia stayed near the doorway for a moment, her eyes wandering curiously around the room.
When the server came to take our order, Alex spoke first, his tone relaxed. "Breakfast, and a glass of fresh milk."
Astrid leaned back in her chair, resting one arm on the table as she added with a smirk, "I'll have breakfast too—and a mug of beer."
Lucia flinched slightly when the server's gaze turned to her. She lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting with her sleeves, clearly unsure. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no sound came out.
Alex noticed immediately. He leaned forward a little, his voice softening. "Don't worry, Lucia. I'll pay for everything," he said with a reassuring smile, meeting her eyes so she wouldn't feel pressured.
Astrid let out a light laugh and flashed a playful grin. "That's right," she said proudly, thumping her chest once. "We're adventurers, after all. We're fairly rich."
Lucia blinked in surprise, then nodded slowly, still shy but visibly relieved. The tension in her shoulders eased as the warmth of the tavern—and the warmth of their words—wrapped around her.
Lucia hesitated for a few more seconds, her eyes darting between Alex and the table. Her fingers twisted the edge of her sleeve, and she took a small breath as if gathering courage.
"…Alright," she said at last, her voice quiet but firm. "I'll order the same as you, mister. I want milk too."
Alex's face instantly brightened. He smiled warmly, clearly pleased, then casually pointed his thumb toward Astrid with a teasing grin.
"Ha! That's the right choice," he said. "If you want a healthy body, don't be like that miss over there."
Astrid's eyebrow twitched. Without warning, she leaned forward and drove her fist lightly—but sharply—into Alex's stomach.
"Hey!" she snapped. "A true Nord should be strong enough to drink this!"
"Oof!" Alex bent forward slightly, one hand flying to his stomach as he burst into laughter. "Ouch—I was just joking, dear," he said between chuckles, rubbing the spot she had hit.
Lucia watched the exchange with wide eyes, then let out a small, shy giggle, the awkward tension finally melting away.
Lucia quietly watched the two of them bicker back and forth, her small body still, her eyes fixed on their faces. Their casual laughter, the way they teased each other without anger, the ease in their voices—it all wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Her chest tightened with a feeling she didn't recognize at first.
After her mother died, she had been sent to live with her uncle. There, she was never treated like family. Harsh words, rough hands, and cold stares were things she had grown used to—while other children were protected and cared for, she was scolded, blamed, and eventually cast aside as if she were nothing more than a burden.
Now, sitting here at the same table as them, listening to their laughter, she felt something she had never been allowed to have before. Even though she knew she was only staying with them for now, her heart swelled with quiet happiness. Deep inside, a small, fragile wish took shape—what if… what if they could be my family?
She didn't realize it at first, but her vision blurred. Warm drops slid down her cheeks and fell onto the table. Lucia quickly lowered her head, biting her lip, but it was too late.
Alex noticed immediately. His smile vanished as he leaned forward, his chair scraping softly against the floor.
"Lucia? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice tense with worry. "Hey?"
Astrid followed his gaze and froze when she saw Lucia's trembling shoulders. She straightened up, concern written clearly across her face.
"What happened, Lucia?" she asked gently. "Are you that hungry?"
Before Lucia could answer, Alex abruptly turned his head toward the counter and raised his voice.
"Hey! Hurry it up!" he shouted at the waitress, frustration seeping into his tone. "This kid's starving!"
Lucia quickly shook her head, her hands clenched tightly in her lap as she tried to stop the tears from falling, overwhelmed not by hunger—but by the kindness she was afraid might disappear.
Lucia shook her head slowly, her messy hair swaying with the motion. She pressed her lips together as if trying to hold something back, but her voice still came out broken and trembling.
"N-no…" she whispered. "I'm just… I'm just happy being with you."
She clenched her small fists in her lap, her shoulders quivering as she forced herself to continue.
"Before this… I was always alone," she said between uneven breaths. "There was no one who cared about me."
The words struck Alex and Astrid like a blade to the chest. Alex's jaw tightened, his hand curling into a fist beneath the table as he looked away for a brief moment, fighting the surge of emotion. Astrid's eyes softened instantly, her confident expression melting into one of pure tenderness.
"Oh, sweetheart…" Astrid murmured. She leaned closer and gently placed her hand on Lucia's head, slowly stroking her hair with careful, comforting motions, as if afraid of hurting her.
Alex moved his chair closer and lowered himself to Lucia's level. "You're not alone now," he said quietly, his voice low and steady, meant only for her. "We're here."
Lucia's tears slowed as the warmth of their presence surrounded her. Between Astrid's gentle touch and Alex's calm reassurance, both of them did everything they could to comfort her—until her trembling finally eased and her sobs faded into soft, quiet breaths
A moment later, the clatter of plates broke the air as the food arrived. The rich aroma of warm bread and freshly cooked dishes filled the table, instantly changing the mood. Lucia's eyes sparkled as she stared at the food in front of her, sitting up straighter without even realizing it.
The three of us began to eat together. Lucia didn't hold back—she ate eagerly, spoon moving quickly, as if afraid the meal might disappear if she slowed down. Her cheeks puffed slightly as she chewed, and she barely paused between bites.
Alex watched her for a second, then burst out laughing.
"Haha, hey, slow down," he said, waving his hand lightly. "No one's going to steal your food."
As Lucia lifted her spoon again, her long sleeve slid down her arm. For just a brief moment, pale skin was exposed—along with a dark bluish bruise.
Alex's laughter died instantly.
His fingers tightened around his utensils, knuckles turning white as he forced himself not to react. His chest burned with restrained fury.
(How cruel… whoever did this to her. She's just a little girl.)
He took a slow breath, willing his expression to remain gentle.
Unaware of what he had seen, Lucia continued eating until her plate was clean. When she finally leaned back, she let out a long, satisfied sigh, her entire face lighting up as she turned toward Alex.
"Fuaaah! It was really delicious!"
That bright, innocent smile wiped away Alex's anger in an instant. His clenched fist relaxed, and the tension in his shoulders melted.
Astrid chuckled softly, watching the empty plate. "You really ate well," she said warmly. "If you're still hungry, just order more."
Lucia's eyes widened, shining with excitement. "R-really?"
She looked between them, hardly daring to believe it.
Alex smiled, his eyes faintly glistening as he reached out and gently patted Lucia's head.
"Of course," he said softly. "Order whatever you want. I'll pay."
Lucia beamed, leaning slightly into his hand without realizing it.
Astrid watched the scene, then glanced at Alex. Seeing the compassion on his face, she smiled quietly to herself and said nothing.
For that moment, surrounded by warm food, gentle laughter, and unspoken care, the three of them shared something simple and precious—time together, just like a family.
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