Kira, shocked, stood frozen, her eyes locked on Lythari in disbelief.
She watched as Lythari raised the key of the house in the air, holding it out to her, and that was when she realized it wasn’t a joke… “But was it?” Kira asked herself inwardly, as she couldn’t quite process it.
“Belongs to me?” She asked Lythari, feeling confused, or like she was missing something.
“I don’t understand,” she muttered and glanced at the key, then back at Lythari. “I thought this was probably your house or a new house you wanted to move into, and you needed someone to tell you if it was good enough. I-”
“You thought wrong,” Lythari interrupted her, and let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. “You are an interesting one. This house belongs to you now, Kira. It is your new home.”
“But-” Kira muttered, still struggling to believe it.
The truth was, she had actually fallen in love with the house, and now it’s actually hers?
“Take the key, Kira,” Lythari said, holding out the key, her eyebrow raised as she gave Kira a playful look. “I do not want my hand staying up in the air for too long.”
Snapping out of her daze, Kira reached out and took the key softly.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” she admitted as she smiled softly, her fingers running over the key. “Thank you. I never expected such a thing, but thank you so much.” She said gratefully and then let out a small chuckle, shaking her head in disbelief. “This is more than amazing. I’m literally dumbfounded, literally. The house is everything like I’ve said before, and I fell in love with it, and now it’s mine?”
“It’s yours,” Lythari said softly, making Kira lift her head and look at her. “And you are welcome. Now, I will leave you to rest.”
“Oh?” Kira ohed.
“Yes,” Lythari confirmed. “There is a spare cloth in the drawer, or is it the wardrobe? Anyone, you can check. I think it might fit you, so when you shower, you can put that on, and get some rest. There is also food in the kitchen, or rather, things you can use to make food. You may be in the elven kingdom, but the food isn’t all that different, so I am sure you can make something for yourself, or would you be needing some help?”
“No, no,” Kira answered almost immediately with a smile. “I got it covered.”
“Alright then,” Lythari said, smiling back. “Mmm… We do have some fruits and food you may have never had before, but don’t worry. I’m sure you will.”
“I am sure I will,” Kira smiled widely, appreciating Lythari’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you for everything. I truly appreciate it.”
“Of course,” Lythari said with a nod, before turning towards the door. “It is a pleasure, Luna Kira.”
“Luna?” Kira thought, and just as Lythari reached for the handle of the door, she suddenly paused, raised a single finger in the air, and turned back to Kira.
“Before I forget,” she said. “A tailor will come to take your measurements for clothes. You will give him all the information he needs. He will take your size and the rest.”
“Noted,” Kira nodded, processing the new information. “I will be expecting him.”
“So… friends?” Lythari asked, shocking Kira.
Shocked, Kira stared at her a little, feeling this warmth creep in, and then responded.
“Friends.”
Getting an answer, Lythari gave a final nod and left.
As the door closed behind Lythari, Kira stood there for a moment, feeling different kinds of emotions.
“Friends,” she murmured to herself. “And now that I think of it, I don’t really have friends. This is nice, and a tailor?” She paused for a minute. “I guess that’s how it works here. I would have to get used to some things in this kingdom.”
Kira felt like there was a lot she didn’t know and understand yet, but still had a feeling she would learn soon enough, especially with the help of her new friend.
She smiled again as she now looked around the room, her disbelief lingering just a little. “How could I say no to this?” She asked herself and laughed softly.
“I would NEVER do such a thing. NEVER!” She said and laughed again at her silliness, walking to the door.
Reaching the door, Kira fitted the key into the lock, and with a small click, she locked it.
That done, she turned and made her way to the bedroom.
Getting there, she walked to the wardrobe, pulled it open, and inside, she found the cloth Lythari had mentioned.
The cloth was neatly folded, and Kira reached for it, pulling it out and unfolding it, only for an undergarment to fall out.
“Oh,” she chuckled and picked it up, checking them out.
“Will these even fit me?” She wondered aloud, holding up the gown and undergarment. “But there is only one way to find out,” she muttered and laid it on the bed before beginning to undress.
Without wasting much time, she went to the bathroom and made her way to the tub, turning the taps and letting the water flow in.
Kira mixed the water until it was slightly hot-just the way she wanted it-and once she was satisfied, she stepped in, sinking into the warmth.
“Mmm…” She let out satisfyingly as she allowed herself to relax.
For a while, she stayed there, enjoying the feel and relaxation, but as much as she wanted to enjoy the moment and wanted that feeling to last, her mind, and heart wanted something else.
She thought of them.
Bryan and Aiden.
She wondered how they were doing. Were they eating okay? Sleeping okay? Well? These were the questions that filled her mind, and when a single tear dropped, she quickly wiped them away and closed her eyes.
The memories, the dull ache, everything came rushing back, and she tried so hard not to let the sadness creep in, but still, with all that effort, it sunk deep into her chest.
For a moment, Kira couldn’t move, feeling like all the energy she had, even from earlier, had all been sucked out, and been replaced with the numb feeling she was now feeling.
Then suddenly-
She heard a knock, and her eyes snapped open.