Tohe duo to process what they had heard. He returo the stage with a lyre in hand as he began another performance. He looked a lot more tired than before, but he pushed through. Jasmiared idly at him before asking.

  “So how do you maraveling? I see him being a stant target for bandits or nobles.” Her eyes sed the room, it was very easy to tell whien were uhe effects of his gift. Less than half the room was idly eating, taking occasional gnces before returning to their meal or versation. The rge majority were ily watg as the man pyed.

  “It’s… not the worst.” Alice said. She watched her son py with a smile on her face. “His gift only affects women attracted to men, thankfully, so we are able to have a detail of women to protect us. Our noblewoman is very kind. I used to py in her court and she helped me get pregnant.”

  That shocked the pair. They’ve only heard or met hat abuse their powers. Especially from Elizabeth. She was always going on about the noble css and how they use people. Jasmine herself has met quite a few through her old party and none of them could be sidered kind to the lower csses. It was relieving to know that there were some out there.

  “She saw herself as his grandmother and even paid for the women out of her own pocket… we are so thankful for her.” Alice said with a slight smile. “But you’re right. Far too many women have tried to take Toni. We’ve met quite a few noblewomen blinded by lust… We lost a lot of good women fighting them off.”

  “Then why travel? It seems like it adds unnecessary risks.” Jasmine asked. She g Lily, but she was watg Toni perform. “I wouldn’t risk it.”

  Alice smiled a out a sigh. “Anka told him to travel and show his beauty to the world… But also, he loves to perform. He loves to travel and hear people’s stories. I’ve never seen him as happy before we started pying together. My Lady said it was worth his happiness…”

  “I don’t know… My… uh, lover, she lost her brother to our noblewoman’s greed. I don’t know if I could risk it.” Jasmine replied. She was curious as to how Cire would react to seeing a man. Or another individual blessed by a Goddess. But given how Lily was ag, it may be dangerous for her to meet with Toni.

  “Oh, I’ve heard the stories that e from this pce. Lady Myrtle right? Thankfully my Lady sent a ptoon of knights to meet with her beforehand. Or else we’d ep foot here.” Alice replied. It relieved Jasmio know that Alice’s Lady was so willing to help them. But she couldn’t help but be bitter. “We also have a squad of knights with us right now. They’re dispersed in the crht now to make sure nothing happens.”

  “Damn, they must be extremely well trained. I usually spot them pretty easily.” Jasmine said she raised an eyebrow before sing the crowd. She found a few she thought to be adventurers before, but they could be the knights she’s speaking of. “I’m impressed.”

  Aliodded and replied, “Like I said, my Lady sees Toni as her grandson. She would never skimp out on proteg him.”

  “Ahh, I-I gotta go. I'll inform Cire about what the goddess said.” Lily shot up, her hands c her p as she quickly left. Alice let out a ugh.

  “What’s got her all worked up?” She said while giggling. Jasmine smiled, if only she knew. “It’s a shame, Toni will be sad that she left.”

  “Yeah, it’s probably best that she left. Your son’s blessing had quite the effe her.” Jasmine said. Aliodded and turo her son. He was sat on a stool, pying his lyre while singing a tale. He sang of adventurers journeying to take back their home.

  The two sat for the rest of the song. her spoke as they watched Toni’s performance. Jasmine had to admit, he was very pleasing to watch. His fluidity in his strokes and his voice’s silkiness. Even the fabric of his clothing seemed to dance as he pyed his lyre. She looked to Alice, whose face was lit up with pride.

  Jasmi a pang hit her chest as she thought about it. Alice looked so proud of her son and it made Jasmiart to look internally. Would her mothers look at her the same way? Her mothers weren’t fighters like she was. They were a craftswoman and a huntress. Not a killer like her. She must have been scowling as Alice tapped her hand.

  “Are you okay?” She whispered as she scooted closer. “Did his song bring up bad memories?”

  Jasmine shook her head and fixed her facade. “No, just have a lot on my mind.”

  Alice frowned before speaking. “That’s a lie.” Jasmine flinched. She was shocked, she just met this dy, how would she know? “I may not look like it, but I am a mother. And mothers know when you’re lying.”

  Her face was serious as she leaowards Jasmi felt like she was staring into her soul and she quickly broke. She didn’t know how or why she did, but she spoke. “I just… I lost my mothers when I was very young… I never got to experience much with them. Your pride in your son had me questioning myself…”

  She felt her face redden as she finished speaking. She was internally cursing herself for being so emotional today. From the start to finish today was filled with her emotions driving her. She o do better. Her thoughts were interrupted by Alice.

  Alice’s face softened as she leaned in to hug her. “I pegged you as the type immediately. The one who hides her baggage, her pain. The Knights’ Order is filled with them. All so afraid of letting it out.” Jasmihe woman her arms around her. “My wife was also like that. It took me ages to get her to open up.”

  Jasmiears well up in her eyes. It felt odd hugging her. She’d expect her body to react stroo this attractive dy embrag her. But something was different about her hug. It felt warm, f. Like a mother. She found her body missing it as Alice pulled away.

  “I hope you found a lover you fide in. Too many die carrying their burdens alone…” Alice whispered softly in her ear. She rubbed the top of Jasmine’s head as she whispered to her. “It’s okay to feel your emotions. You’re not a mae.”

  Jasmine breathed deeply. It felt o have Alice sooth her, but she was all cried out after the day she had. “I just question myself. Would my mothers look at me like how you look at your son?”

  “Shhh, I have no doubts your mothers are looking at you with pride and joy. Their daughter grew to be a strong, capable woman from what I tell.” Alice said gently. Jasmine fully believed her now despite her looks. She felt far older than she appeared. Her embrace brought back memories of her childhood, of her mothers. Of the good times she had before they were taken from her.

  “Thank you. I’ve had a… rough day today. I’ve cried more times i 15 hours than I have in 15 years.” Jasmine responded. She let out a small ugh before she stretched. “I really o get a hold of myself.”

  “You’ll find it easier to trol your emotions and your outbursts if yurly talk about them.” Alice replied. Her voiow sounded older to Jasmine which caused her head to hurt. It still couldn’t recile the fact that she was in her 40’s. “I hope you fide more in your lover or in Lily. She seemed like a smart young dy.”

  Jasmine nodded, ”I actually just spoke with Cire about my mothers. It felt o open up to her, but I still have scars… My st lover wasn’t the greatest.”

  “Cire is her name? I hope she took it well.” Alice smiled. “And as for your st lover, if you don’t want to speak about it yet, it’s okay. You should talk about it when you feel ready.”

  Jasmine nodded. She wasn’t ready yet. Just thinking about it caused her chest to tighten. She had given Cire the bare minimum earlier, but there was a lot more that happened back then. It made it hard for her to truly accept Cire and the others. Some part of her was still holding out despite how badly her body craved that e with her party members. Her hand squeezed her chest right where her heart was, the ter of the pain.

  She ulled out of her thoughts by Alice patting her head again. “Take your time. Just make sure not to project her as onto Cire.”

  Jasmine hankfully she hadn’t dohat. She couldn’t imagine Cire lying to anyone, so she didn’t have to worry about that. But there was that voi the back of her head. The voice she should have listeo back then. It kept her from doing more ettiionally involved with the twins. Even with Lily, despite the age of their friendship, she still held herself back.

  Toni finished his song cutting off Jasmihoughts. She turo the singer as he bowed. It was a fitting time to leave as any more and Alice might get her to spill their secret. “I should go and join Lily. It was alking to you.”

  Aliodded and gave her o smile. “You as well. I hope you find the necessary strength to deal with your past. And deal with a goddess.”

  She was able to get o ugh out of Jasmine before she left. It felt o talk to her, but she folded too easily to her. Maybe it was a skill or maybe it was exactly what she needed. Whatever it was, Jasmine finally felt like she could put this behind her.