“Of course we’re ready! We’ve been waiting hours for the chance to—” Jill smacks Jack’s shoulder at the same time as Momma shoots him her death glare. He shrugs. “Wasn’t gonna spoil anything,” he mumbles.

Jill deadpans him with a look, and he rubs the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

“It’s time someone took the time to recognize all you’ve done for us, little minx. The nation is safe from threat for the time being. We recovered all who were kidnapped. Some were nobles, kidnapped for their knowledge of hidden passages and trade routes. Some were kidnapped because of family members who are close to the king. But because of you, Aria Rosen, Guardian of Risia, we have the upper hand against La’Maciago. We have peace from a hidden war; time granted for a reprieve. And this time… this time we will be prepared.” He pauses, looking around. “And this is why we wish to recognize the one who made it all possible. Risia will never know the Guardian behind the mask, will never know the girl and her wolf who saved Irisia from an invasion, but we do.” He looks at the people in that room, those who know.

“And we will never forget,” Jenny says, coming up beside her husband.

Hans kisses her cheek and wraps an arm around her waist. “No, we won’t. But the crown, through a benefactor, would like to award you as the Honour Knight Saepio Regia Puella, the girl who defied all odds to save her family, her city, and her nation, for service to The King, country, and your fellow men.”

He presents me with a dagger. It has the Royal seal of a golden dragon on the pommel, and it’s wrapped in a fine royal blue hilt.

I pull the blade with reverence. The ring of the steel leaving its sheath is music to my ears. I touch the edge with my finger, running my finger up and over the patterned light and dark blade. The blade is of the finest lorascus make, two shades of silver blending to make an exotic, almost floral pattern in the blade itself. This blade is a Royal heirloom, not just any blade.

I jerk my head up to look at Hans, my eyes wide and mouth gaping.

He grins, eyes crinkling and making him look like a fun uncle. It’s scary. “Normally, in these circumstances, a shield would be given on which pictures would be painted detailing the Knight’s actions that led to such Honour. But alas, it would firstly break your secret, and secondly, it did not fit you. You protect through offense, not defense. You are the first to strike and the last to surrender. And it is my honour to present you as the newest member of nobility, Sir Ri. You now own a farm just outside the east well on the coast near the castle. You can get out of our hair.”

Jenny smacks his shoulder, and Hans mock winces. “Behave, husband of mine,” she says, glaring. “Listen to him not, dear. We are happy to have you here for as long as you wish to stay.”

“But there is the fact that we would have to explain to the servants and children about why another noble family is staying with us.”

“We could make something up.”

“The servants are cannier than you expect, my love.”

“I am canniest, dear.”

“Of course you are, sunshine of my life,” Hans replies quickly. He coughs, but smiles at his wife with love shining in his gaze.

“You were telling Aria about her surprise,” Jenny prompts when Hans seems to be lost in admiring his wife.

“Yes, thank you. Aria, you are now one of us. You fought for our country and the crown is not oblivious to such things, even if they are oblivious to who you are. You are granted a monthly strip-end that began when we met.”

“How much?” Jack asks, leaning forward.

“Jack,” Momma threatens, and Jack leans back, but still watches Hans for the answer. Momma sighs, but a smile pulls at her lips, and I see the bittersweet sadness there that also pulls at my own. It’s so good to be back, to be together, but actually returning to the usual things we used to do all the time without thinking about... well, it’s going to take time before being together and eating a simple meal feels normal again.

“It’s quite alright. Jack, she has earned the same amount as a Royal Guard. So for the past weeks of duty to king and country, you’ve accumulated twenty crowns, three dozen robes, and five tunics.” Each consecutive tier is a hundred of the previous. For example, it takes one hundred robes to make a crown, and one hundred tunics to make a robe.

The coins I’ve been using have been boots.

I’ve never even seen a crown, except back when I was a little girl and Father took me to a horse race. A few crowns exchanged hands then... but that was only from a distance.

My mouth doesn’t seem to want to close.

“I…”

“Sis, you’re rich!” Jack beams at me, his dimple showing. It makes me happy beyond measure to see the shining, excited light in his eye. Much more than the fact we now have enough coin to easily enjoy a peaceful, stress-free life.

Ran snorts. I’ll believe that when I see it.

I chuckle, looking around at those here who have seen me at my best… but mostly at my worst, and still they looked out for me and took the time to actually see me. These are my truest friends. My people. My family. My tribe. Or, as Ran would say, my pack.

My throat gets tight and I cough. “Thank you. So much. Words… words can’t even describe what you all mean to me.”

Hans pats my head like a dog, and I narrow my eyes at him, fingering a knife. “You’re worth it, little minx.”

Jill watches Hans, her lips pinched into a frown. She winces at something, and I meet Momma’s eyes, gesturing with my chin to Jill.

“It’s time I got to bed. Thank you, Hans, Jenny, for being wonderful hosts and all you have done.” Momma wipes away tears, laughing as she fans her face. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but you two were an answer to prayer and took care of my baby when I couldn’t–” Her face crumbles and her shoulders shake.

Jenny gets Momma in a tight hug. “We’re here for you. Whatever you need.”

Momma pulls back, her face glowing through her tears. “Thank you, Jen. Truly.”

Momma hugs Hans, and he awkwardly pats her back.

I get up slowly, wrapping my arms around my mother, and her arms feel just as warm and welcoming as I remember. Just this single hug threatens to bring me to my knees, knowing how easily it could’ve been different, how easily she could’ve been torn from us and I never would’ve felt her warm arms again.

“He’s very handsome,” she whispers in my ear.

I blush from the tips of my ears to the bottom of my toes, and she laughs. A light-hearted, free sound that comes from the depths of her soul. It makes me smile, even as I duck my head for fear of anyone else seeing my flaming cheeks.

Momma ducks her head to catch my eye, and her blue ones sparkle. “Guard your heart and trust your instincts. Trust The King. You’ll know when the time is right.”

I smile, my heart so full it might burst. “Thank you, Momma,” I say, not surprised by how well she read me and the situation. Mothers have a special knack for these things. At least my mother does.

She pats my cheek, then all three of them depart. Jack wanted to stay but Momma pulled him out by the ear. I smile, content and happy for the first time in a very long time.