The truth of it settled over her like a shroud. When Cassius's investigation was complete and the mana fiend outbreak was resolved, he would leave.
He would go back to Isabelle, back to his life, back to wherever he had come from.
And she would be alone again. She would have the memories, yes. She would cherish them forever.
But memories couldn't keep you warm at night.
Memories couldn't call you mother.
Still, she forced a smile through the pain.
"But it's alright. Really. Maybe I can adopt. There are so many children out there who've lost their families—children displaced by monsters, orphaned by war. I could take them in. Raise them. Give them the love they deserve."
Her smile grew more genuine as she imagined it.
"I wonder what they would call me. Mother Ragnora? Mommy Ragnora? Or maybe some of them would just call me Commander." She chuckled softly. "I suppose it wouldn't matter, as long as they were happy."
She was about to continue when Cassius suddenly moved.
