Lys pushed the door open and stepped inside. The hut smelled like the usual, soup and herbs.

  “I’m back.”

  Era looked up from the pot and gave him a small smile. “Oh, you’re home early. Did you go to Sara’s pce?”

  Mira gnced up from making a new mat and smiled at him.

  “Yeah, Mom,” he said, closing the door behind him. He leaned against the wall and looked at both of them. “I’ve got some news. Sara said she'll find us a new house. We’re going to see it this evening.”

  Mira’s eyes went wide. “Wait… what?” She dropped the mat from her hands and jumped up. “A new house? For us?”

  Before he could answer, she ran over and unched herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist and throwing her arms around his neck. She clung to him like a happy monkey, squeezing tight.

  “Oh my gosh, Lys! Are you serious? We’re really getting out of this pce?” She asked while smiling brightly.

  Lys stumbled back a step, catching himself against the wall with a ugh. "Yeah, I'm serious. Now get off, you little squirrel. When did you learn to climb people like a tree?"

  Mira just showed her teeth to him with a big smile.

  Era set the spoon down slowly, her face softening. “Really? You buying a house already?” She walked closer and gently touched his shoulder. “That’s wonderful, honey. But it’s still too early, don’t you think? Shouldn’t we spend that money slowly and think carefully, honey?”

  Lys said with a reassuring voice, “It’s okay, Mom. I’ll just earn more money if we ever run out of it. You don’t have to worry about money from now on.”

  Era was shocked to hear such mature words coming out of her son’s mouth. She blinked at him, something shifting in her expression. Just a month ago, he was a timid boy who barely hunted rabbits and gathered herbs. Now here he stood, talking about houses and money like it was nothing. Like he'd become someone else entirely.

  She didn't mind. If anything, she liked this new version better. Not just because he provided, but because he felt like someone she could lean on. The weight on her shoulders seemed lighter just looking at him.

  She let out a long, slow sigh.

  Then she stepped closer and said, "Why don't you wash up and rest first? We have time before evening, right?"

  Lys shook his head, still holding Mira. “No need. You two get ready now. We’re going out first to buy some new clothes for you two. Before we go watch the house.”

  Mira pulled back just enough to look at him, still hanging on. “What? You’ll buy us new clothes too? Today?”

  Era let out a soft ugh and shook her head. Then she said to her daughter, “You really wanted to buy a dress, right? There you go, he will buy it for you today.”

  Seeing Mira so excited just hearing the word dress, Lys said to her, “Ohh, is that right? Then I should’ve taken you earlier when I went to buy mine.

  Era smiled warmly and said, “It’s okay, you must’ve been busy too. Now give us ten minutes, and we’ll be ready.”

  Mira slid down but kept holding his arm, bouncing a little. “Yayy, I don’t even know what to pick! This is the best day ever!”

  Lys grinned, watching them hurry to get ready to go shopping.

  ***

  They left the hut together a short while ter. The sun was on the west side, and the vilge paths were busy with people coming from their work. Mira walked between Lys and Era, practically skipping.

  “I still can’t believe we’re getting new clothes today,” she said, swinging her arms. “I haven’t had anything new in… forever!”

  Era smiled and gently fixed Mira’s hair. “Calm down, sweetheart. You’ll wear yourself out before we even get there.”

  Lys just chuckled. “Let her be excited, Mom. Today’s a good day.”

  When they reached the same clothing shop as before, Harn was standing behind the counter sorting some hats. The moment he saw Lys, he let out a loud grunt.

  “Oi, you again?” he grumbled, folding his thick arms. “Didn’t I tell you not to come back for at least two days? What, you forget how to count already?”

  Lys raised his hands with a grin and gestured toward Era and Mira standing behind him. “Rex, I came not for me this time. It’s for them.”

  Harn’s eyes moved to the two women. His grumpy face softened just a little. “Ah. Family, huh? Well… come in then. Don’t touch everything with dirty hands.”

  Lys didn’t say anything, already knowing how this old man’s behaviour was.

  Inside the shop, Mira’s eyes went wide. She ran straight to the racks like a kid in a candy store.

  “Look at this one, Mom!” she called, pulling out a light blue dress. “It’s so pretty!” She held it against herself and spun around. “Lys, what do you think?”

  “Yeah, looks great on you,” Lys said, smiling. “Go on, try it on.”

  Mira disappeared into the changing corner Lys pointed towards and came out a minute ter, twirling. The dress flowed nicely around her legs. “Whoa, it feels so light! Can I really have it?”

  “Get it,” Lys said without thinking twice. “Get anything you like.”

  Mira squealed and went back to grabbing more dresses, some hats, and skirts. She kept coming out to show each one, ughing and posing. “What about this? Too much? No? Okay, this one then!”

  Era was quieter at first. She looked through the clothes slowly, almost shyly. But when she found a simple green dress that fit her curves perfectly, she tried it on. When she stepped out, Lys felt his throat go dry.

  The dress hugged her chest and hips just right. It was modest… but the way it moved when she turned made his mind wander around her body.

  “Ohh, you look beautiful, Mom,” he said, his voice a little lower than usual.

  Era blushed and smoothed the fabric. “It’s nice, isn’t it? I haven’t worn anything like this in years.”

  She kept looking through the racks. A few minutes ter, she pulled out something much skimpier, a thin, red dress with a low neckline and short hem. She held it up, cheeks already pink.

  “I… I don’t think I can wear this,” she whispered, mostly to herself. “It’s too much.”

  She started walking toward the changing corner to put it back.

  Lys stepped close quickly so Mira wouldn’t hear. He leaned in and spoke softly near her ear.

  “Buy it, MOM,” he murmured. “You might need it ter.”

  Era froze. Her face turned bright red. She didn’t look at him, but her fingers tightened on the dress. After a second, she gave the tiniest nod, eyes still down.

  “Okay,” she said quietly, voice a little shaky. “Only because you said so.”

  Mira came out again in another dress, spinning happily. “Lys! Look at this one! It has pockets!”

  Lys ughed, pulling his eyes away from his mother. “Yeah, get that one too.”

  ------

  In the end, they picked out six dresses for Mira, four for Era, some hats, plus new underclothes and simple shoes for both. Harn added everything up and scratched his head.

  “Whole lot comes to twenty silver,” he said, sounding surprised. “That’s the cheap I can go…. for all this.”

  Lys counted out the coins and pced them on the counter. “I thought it would take much more.”

  Mira hugged the bundle of clothes to her chest, beaming with happiness. “I feel like a rich dy already!”

  Era carried her own bag more quietly, but every time she gnced at Lys, her cheeks still had that soft pink color. She kept the red dress folded at the bottom, hidden from Mira’s view.

  As they walked out of the shop, Mira skipped ahead, chatting nonstop about what she would wear first. Era walked beside Lys, close enough that their arms brushed.

  “Thank you,” she said softly, so only he could hear. “For everything.”

  Lys smiled and bumped her shoulder lightly. “What are you saying, Mom. It’s just the beginning.”

  Visioner10