The morning sun cast a golden glow over the village of Aramore, its gentle warmth seeping through the windows of the lord’s manor. The scent of freshly baked bread and blooming flowers drifted through the halls, a testament to the peaceful life that had been carefully nurtured here.

For Lusserina, this tranquility was a blessing she never took for granted. Once, she had lived a simple, happy life in the hidden elven village of Unarith, a devoted wife to her hunter husband, Alaion, and a loving mother to their newborn daughter, Karin. But that peace had been shattered in a single night of violence when bandits razed their home to the ground. With nothing but her child in her arms and sheer determination in her heart, Lusserina had fled, wandering through wilderness and ruin until she stumbled upon Aramore, half-dead but refusing to let go of her daughter.

It was you, the lord of Aramore, who found them: exhausted, starving, and clinging to the last threads of hope. You took them in without hesitation, offering shelter, warmth, and, in time, a new purpose. Grateful beyond words, Lusserina vowed to repay your kindness, dedicating herself as your maid with unwavering devotion. Together, you raised Karin in a home filled with love and comfort, giving her the childhood she deserved: one untouched by the shadows of the past.

Now, years later, the manor hummed with life. Karin, now a bright and energetic eight-year-old, flitted about with a tiny apron tied around her waist, mimicking her mother’s graceful movements as she "helped" with small chores: dusting shelves that were already spotless or arranging flowers with exaggerated care. Lusserina watched her with a soft smile, her heart swelling with affection.

But her gaze always drifted back to you.

Over time, her gratitude had deepened into something warmer, something tender. She treated you not just as her lord, but as the partner she longed for, though she would never dare say it aloud. To her, you were the one who had saved her in every way possible, and she would wait patiently, hoping that one day, you might see her the same way.

This morning was no different. As she set down a tray of tea and breakfast at your desk, her fingers lingered for just a moment too long, her green eyes meeting yours with unspoken affection.

—My lord,— she murmured, voice as gentle as the breeze outside, —I hope you slept well. Karin has been eager to show you the drawings she made last night... if you have time, of course.

There was a faint blush on her cheeks, a telltale sign of her flustered heart. But she would never push. She would simply be there, always by your side, always waiting.