Chapter 29: The Campfire's Glow

**Lily's perspective**

As the campsite bustled with morning activities, I noticed Lady Sakuya sitting alone by the campfire. Her serene demeanor suggested she might be meditating, and I couldn't resist the urge to approach her.

"Would you mind if I shared this quiet evening with you, Lady Sakuya?" My question floated into the tranquil evening air. She didn't respond, her stillness as unwavering as the statues in a grand cathedral. Undeterred, I found a spot beside her and sank into the comforting silence.

After an indeterminable stretch, Sakuya pierced the tranquility with a soft murmur. "They're asleep, aren't they?" Her statement hung in the air, more of a rhetorical musing than an actual question.

I nodded in confirmation, not trusting my voice to maintain the peaceful ambience. After a moment, she turned her gaze towards me. "You should sleep too."

A chuckle escaped me at her unexpected concern. "Initially, I didn't plan to. But seeing Lady Tatiana's worry for me earlier, I thought it might be best."

Her enigmatic nature intrigued me, but I didn't want to push too hard. Instead, I offered her a cup of coffee, hoping it might coax her into a more talkative mood. She accepted the mug with ease, handling it directly without any concern for burning her hand.

Silence fell upon us once again as Sakuya seemed to digest my response. Then, after what seemed like a small eternity, she broke the silence. "This world isn't like the one we left behind. There, we were victims of our circumstances, turned into villains by hatred, revenge, or simply because others misunderstood us. Here, we have the freedom to choose our own path."

Intrigued by her reflection, I found myself drawn into the conversation. "And what path have you chosen in this world, Lady Sakuya?" I asked, eager to understand her perspective.

I listened intently, realizing that she had observed and analyzed each of us like a skilled detective. Her insights made me cautious, and I chose not to delve further into the conversation.

"This world offers us the opportunity to leave the past behind and pursue what we truly want," she replied, her voice filled with a resolute calmness that left me speechless.

Sakuya's enigmatic charm had always captivated me. "Lady Sakuya, your perspective never ceases to fascinate me," I confessed, my smile spreading across my face. It was a kind of innocence that often belied my true intentions.

Sakuya had a unique ability to discern unspoken intentions while deliberately leaving some stones unturned. Her words contained a profound wisdom that stirred something within me. "I've never met someone so fragile willing to safeguard someone as frail as myself. Perhaps I'm hesitant to repeat the same errors," she confided. I detected a tinge of regret in her tone. Was it because of Tatiana?

"Sakuya, I am thankful for the coat," I managed to say. As the garment enveloped me, it was almost as if Sakuya was there, her steadfast presence a comforting shield. Yet, in the back of my mind, I knew I had lost touch with my emotions.

While deep down, I knew that my emotions were not my own. As a puppet without true feelings, I could only play along and express gratitude without understanding the essence of it.

Sensing my quiet contemplation, Sakuya glanced in my direction. "Are you falling asleep?" she inquired, her voice gentle against the quiet hum of the night.

My eyelids fluttered closed as I responded, "Yes, but only part of me is drifting away." I leaned into the comforting silence, Sakuya's quiet presence beside me lulling me into a tranquil lull.

Her chuckle resonated in the stillness, a sweet melody against the crackling whispers of the fire. "I can never quite figure you out," she confessed. As the night deepened, her gentle laughter was a reminder of the strange yet beautiful companionship we had formed.

A commotion erupted from the tent shared by Lady Tatiana and Lady Blanc. "Get off me, girl!" Blanc's voice was sharp with irritation. 

"Hold on, my dress is slipping off!" Tatiana's reply was frantic, evidently concerned about preserving her modesty. 

"Ah! Now you're just parading yourself in front of me!" Blanc's retort was laced with envy and frustration. 

Tatiana was quick to defend herself, "Don't point fingers at me; you're the one causing all the trouble!" Their heated exchange was amusing, adding a dash of humor to the otherwise quiet night. 

"...What are they up to?" Lady Sakuya's puzzled inquiry broke the silence. 

"Your guess is as good as mine. I seem to have forgotten to pitch an extra tent," I confessed, stifling a chuckle. As the commotion inside the tent died down, the serene silence of the night returned.

With the arrival of the morning, I was the first to greet Tatiana and Lady Blanc as they emerged from the tent. "Good morning, ladies." 

Blanc seemed to have held onto the events of the night, "Let me be clear, Blanc was the one who invaded my personal space!" she complained, looking to me for sympathy. 

"Hey! I was the one who suffered more, having you pressed up against me all night. And why are you phrasing it in such a misleading way?" Blanc countered, visibly annoyed. 

"Ahaha, breakfast is ready, ladies. I suggest you freshen up," I interjected, eager to steer the conversation away from their bickering.

"I need to wash my face, because that weakling had me pinned to her chest the entire night," Blanc grumbled, heading towards the small waterfall nearby. 

Tatiana appeared mortified. "You promised not to tell them?" she whispered, covering her face in embarrassment. 

As Tatiana recovered from her embarrassment, she turned to me. "Lily, you look refreshed today."

"That's all thanks to Milady's advice to get some rest yesterday. I feel much better now," I replied, grateful for Lady Tatiana's concern

"Don't push yourselves too much, alright," Lady Tatiana advised, always caring for the well-being of others.

Lumina, still groggy from sleep, let out a small yawn, "Unyiii..." 

"Good morning, Lumi. Did you sleep well?" Tatiana's voice was gentle, her hand open for Lumina to rest. 

With our party now including Lumina, we set out from the forest, heading towards our next destination. As we ventured further, I found myself still in search of what I desired, a thought that reminded me of a mysterious saying, "What utter nonsense."

*Lamia's perspective*

"My esteemed Kobold colleagues, your help with these ruins is invaluable," I express my gratitude as a group of diligent Kobolds approach, intent on aiding in the restoration of the ancient structure that lay nestled near my tranquil lake.

The nod of acceptance is all I receive in return, a simple gesture that speaks volumes of their willingness. "That's very kind of you, thank you." With a brisk pace, I go about distributing water amongst the hardworking creatures.

This abandoned building, with its weather-beaten facade and dilapidated structure, has been a constant in my proximity, a silent testament to the passage of time. I've long yearned to breathe life into its vacant halls, and thankfully, thanks to Tatiana's efforts in clearing the obstructive vines, it seems an achievable feat now.

The Kobold Chief saunters over, curiosity gleaming in his eyes, "Miss Lamia, whatever do you intend to use this building for?" 

My reply comes as an innocent whisper, carried along by the cool forest breeze, "Well, I thought I might use it as a place to sleep..."

I leave the statement hanging in the air, with a vague gesture towards the structure. The Chief tilts his head, genuinely perplexed, "Strange... You've always rested in the lake."

His confusion is understandable; after all, I am the guardian of the lake. But why shouldn't I fancy a change? "I don't see why I can't inhabit a building." A playful tone masks the sincerity in my words. 

"The notion is rather peculiar, indeed. You've even included a kitchen, though you've never cooked." The Chief's eyes widen at the thought, genuine confusion painting his features.

"Well, I thought I might learn to cook someday," I retort, a faint smile gracing my lips. The idea of learning a new skill, particularly cooking, has always intrigued me.

Suddenly, the rhythmic sound of approaching footsteps breaks the serene silence of our conversation, "Greetings, Miss Lamia." A voice, all too familiar, resonates through the clearing.

My scales ripple in mild annoyance at the sound, "Agen, again? Have you finished the food I gave you already?" I had thought the generous portion would have kept him occupied, deterring him from frequent visits.

"Absolutely not, there's no way I could polish off that much in a day!" He chuckles, clearly amused by my attempts at subtle deterrence.

I sighed in frustration. "Anyway, we're quite busy here, so why don't you come back in five days or so?" I suggested, hoping he would give us some space.

But it seemed Agen was eager to help. "Oh, you're fixing the abandoned building near the lake? I have time, I can help," he offered.

Panicking, I immediately stopped him. "NO!" I blurted out, trying to prevent him from getting involved.

Agen looked taken aback. "I mean, why don't you come back in five days or so?" I quickly added, attempting to make it sound like a reasonable request.

"Miss Lamia, where should we install this sign?" A Kobold interrupts, hefting a rather heavy wooden sign. 

The sign reads, 'Agen and Lamia' embellished with a couple of heart symbols. The sight of it makes my scales bristle uncomfortably. 

Caught off guard, Agen stammers, "That… um… is…?"

"Argh!! That's it, I'm going home! Go die already!" I dramatically declared, plunging back into the safety of the deep lake. It was my go-to method to escape from awkward situations.

However, it seemed my outburst had an unintended effect. Agen's determination only grew stronger, and he exclaimed, "Let me lend a hand after all..." He was more eager to help now, not discouraged by my initial reaction.

Meanwhile, Chief, the wise and understanding kobold leader, stepped in to mediate. "Well, if it were a human, the more help we got, the better," he remarked, graciously accepting Agen's offer of assistance.

-Chapter 29 End-