How can I ever repay you?

After Clarissa's mom felt good enough to move, she asked her about the herbs she brought.

Clarissa told her the story of how Iono saved her life multiple times and then even helped her gather the herbs.

Hearing from her daughter's mouth that she almost died so many times trying to save her, and was alive purely by luck, made her heart beat so fast that she couldn't stand up.

She felt powerless even though she wasn't anymore. It felt like an itch appeared somewhere inside her and she couldn't scratch it.

But, no matter what, she was still alive and well, and that's what mattered. She hugged her daughter tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she had Clarissa in her arms. Clarissa seeing her mother crying started crying herself. And so both mother and daughter cried in each other's arms for half an hour, relieved at the fact that the imminent death of one of them and the many attempted deaths of the other, were now in the past.

"Clarissa, did you properly thank young master and her highness?", her mother asked.

"Not yet... ", the little girl replied.

"Alright.", her mother said amidst tears while stroking the little girl's brunette head.

"Let's get freshen up, and go properly thank them, okay? And when we get back, mommy will cook you your favourite. How does that sound? ", her mother said amidst sobs.

"Yay!", Clarissa's face lit up and she jumped in a celebratory pose, showing the happiness, that came from having another chance to eat her mother's cooking.

Clarissa's mom, whose name was Rosette, went to pick up water in the well, which she later used to wash both herself and her daughter. After all, she had been in bed for god knows how long, and although Clarissa used a wet towel to wipe her down, it wasn't as good as a refreshing bath.

Before he died in battle, Clarissa's father built them a well, and they remembered him every time they used it. They thought that even after his death, in this poor world of theirs, he was still providing water for them. After freshening up, Rosette went to pick up the few silver coins she had stashed away. It was going to be nighttime in a couple of hours and so, mother and daughter departed for the Rosenblood residence.

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Next to a lit fireplace, a big green fellow and a small green fellow were sitting silently.

They both had in their hands a piece of unprocessed firewood, which was constantly getting smaller and smaller. They both had their eyes closed and, using only their energy, they each created a figurine out of the firewood.

One of them was a depiction of a Green Wolf, and the detail was marvellous.

The other one was a depiction of Anna, and it was utterly beautiful.

"A Green Wolf? Why so?", the big fellow asked.

"I've been seeing quite the number of them lately and it just came to me. And you? Mom?", The little fellow asked.

"Yeah, same reasons... "

"Ok, gross", the little fellow said, making the big fellow laugh out loud.

Father and son were enjoying themselves when a knock on the front door cut them short. Anna peeked from the kitchen, she was making dinner.

"Honey, could you get that? ", she asked.

So Yusef got up and opened the door. In front of him stood a woman in her twenties with chestnut colour hair, tied in a bun, puffy cheeks and a bright smile. Next to her, was a smaller version of herself.

"Good evening, Lord commander. Apologies for coming to your residence this late, but I had to thank you for all you have done for me and my daughter.", she said with a bow.

Yusef sighed when he realized what was happening,

"Why don't you come in first, Anna just finished making dinner.", he said.

"Thank you very much Lord commander!", Rosette replied, took Clarissa's hand and walked into the house.

When they walked in, Clarissa saw Iono by the fireplace, with his eyes closed, making figurines from wood. She let go of her mother's hand, and run to his side,

"Hey, Iono! What are you doing? ", she asked with a smile.

"Clarissa! Be more polite to young master!", her mother said watching the scene. Clarissa's face sunk a bit, but Iono stepped in,

"Do not worry about it, ma'am. I was the one who told her she doesn't have to bother with formalities. We're the same age, after all."

"If you say so, young master, then I have nothing to say.", she replied. At that moment, Anna walked into the living room, while wiping her hands on her apron. She saw Clarissa and also understood what was happening.

"I am guessing you are Clarissa's mother, it's nice to finally meet you. How are you feeling?", she said with a smile.

"Your Highness!", Rosette bowed.

"Anna!", When Clarissa saw her come from the kitchen, she run to hug her tightly.

"Aw, you're so cute!", Anna said hugging the little girl. Her mother grimaced a bit seeing her daughter treating the second princess like a friend. But she guessed that the princess allowed her to, given that she hasn't said anything.

"I am feeling much better thanks to you. I want to apologize if Clarissa has caused you any trouble, and I want you to know that I will be eternally grateful for saving both of our lives. I don't have much to give you in return, as the debt is too big to repay, and I have too little. Please, do not hesitate to ask me for anything, this life of mine, and my daughter's that you saved, are yours. This may not be much, but I have a few silver coins to repay you for the herbs. They did wonders.", she said pulling a pouch out of her waist, that had a few silver coins.

Anna and Yusef looked at each other and Iono simply sighed.

"She's a good woman.", he thought.

"Please do not think much of it, and as I said to Clarissa, as long as we're in this village, we're simple people with the same stature as you. Therefore, please forget about the formalities.

Clarissa is a brave and wonderful girl and I would very much like to get to know the person who raised her on her own.

Forget about any debts, and please keep the silver coins. We simply helped a neighbour, there is no need for repayment. Also, I understand that you need those silver coins more than we do.", Anna said.

"I share the same thoughts as my wife. You moved here because you accepted me, even though I'm considered a monster. All the villagers in this place are people to whom I, myself, owe a dept.

This whole thing was done so this little monkey, ", he said ruffling Iono's hair, "can live a normal, peaceful childhood with no political plays, or discrimination.

And you, and your husband's decision to move here, and help us fulfil our wish, is something we should be thankful for.

I remember your husband. When I first saw Clarissa I couldn't recognize her as she had gotten bigger than I remember, but when I saw you, I understood. Richard was a fine soldier, it's a shame he was ambushed.

I assigned that mission to his platoon, therefore I am partly to blame for your current situation. Please think of whatever my family did for you, as even a little bit of repayment for my mistakes." Yusef said, bowing his head to the mother.

He recognized Rosette, the moment he saw her. He was Commander of the Eastern Kingdom army, and therefore anything war related would be his responsibility. He remembered Clarissa's father, Richard, because he was one of the few soldiers in his jurisdiction that agreed to move to this village with him.

"Please, lift your head. My husband's death has nothing to do with you. It was an accident. I have made my peace with it, I have no time to be depressed as I have a daughter to care for.", Rosette replied, and Yusef lifted his head.

"I have an idea... I feel responsible for this, even if you don't hold me as responsible. Therefore how about me and Iono built you a house right next to ours.

That way I can keep an eye on you and your daughter as my responsibility against Richard, and you can help Anna with housework, now that she's occupied with other duties.

Also, it's been great having Clarissa around the house. Iono is too quiet for his age. Plus I'd really like for them to become friends since him being different will limit such possibilities with other children.", his father said stunning Rosette, Clarissa and Iono.

"I agree, it would be great having you guys next door.", Anna said.

"Ok, not only are you making me build a house, but apparently I'm too quiet for my age? Well, thank you very much, my dearest father!", Iono said with sarcasm dripping out of his mouth.

Just when he finished his sentence, a fist landed on his head.

"Don't be rude, you idiot!", Anna said while smacking him on the head.

Both Rosette and Clarissa looked at both of them with a stupefied gaze. Rosette manage to regain her cool, and said,

"I wouldn't dare to put you through the trouble, Lord commander."

"It's no trouble at all. And from now on, it's Yusef.", he said smiling at Rosette.

"I don't know what to say... ", she replied.

"Say nothing and let's enjoy dinner. It's been a bit lonely ever since this little angel became old enough to wander about... It's nice to have company. ", Anna said while ruffling Iono's hair.