Mia Stone's expression was sorrowful: "The Crab Claw Peninsula men summoned a rain of arrows before entering Moon Gate Castle. Most people were hiding indoors at the time, and only a few were hit by arrows, and my master… Lord Nester happened to be one of them."
Lady Catelyn seemed to sigh with emotion: "In times of chaos, simply surviving is a gift from the Gods. At least you are a lucky child."
Mia forced a smile and said: "Michelle also said I was a lucky girl, but unfortunately, I am not."
Lady Catelyn took a small sip of wine and asked: "Michelle… he is?"
"He was my lover, my former…"
Mia shrugged and continued: "His name is Michelle Redfort. In a few years, when he became a knight, we were going to get married. Michelle joined the Battle of the Vale, which shocked the Seven Kingdoms. Before he left… I kissed his sword to bless him, but he never came back."
Lady Catelyn's eyes trembled slightly. The Redfort Family was an ancient noble family in the Vale, with the blood of the First Men flowing in their veins. The girl in front of her might have been Michelle's lover, but the Redfort Family would never allow him to marry a bastard, even if she had slept with him, it meant nothing.
Lady Catelyn sighed inwardly, perhaps Mia truly was a lucky girl. The death of a lover was sorrowful, but for her… this might be better than the grief of being abandoned by a loved one.
She comforted her gently: "You will meet someone who truly loves you, Mia."
Mia's eyes were large and blue, very beautiful. She smiled, showing her teeth: "I'm not sad anymore."
After a pause, she continued: "Compared to me, many of my friends have lost more—fathers, elder brothers, younger brothers, and also lovers. They cry all day long. Watching them, I suddenly found myself unable to feel sad."
Looking at Mia's face, Lady Catelyn suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity. Her heart stirred, and she said: "Child…"
She looked at Mia again, then continued: "I'm sorry, do you remember your father?"
"Father…"
Mia shook her head slightly and said: "I only remember when I was a tiny baby, there was a man who liked to throw me into the air. He was built like a giant, his hands so strong, I felt like I was flying. We laughed and laughed until I couldn't breathe, and even tears of laughter came out, which made him even happier. I wasn't scared at all; I knew he would always catch me."
She brushed away a lock of black hair that had fallen, then gathered her hair up, and continued: "Then one day, he missed. Later, that man left. I found that men are like that: they either lie, or they die, or they leave."
After a pause, Mia's small face broke into a bright smile and she said: "The mountains of the Vale are different from men. Stone is its daughter; I trust my 'father,' it will never leave."
Mia's smile was joyful and lovely. Lady Catelyn couldn't help but think of Sansa. She smiled faintly and said: "May the Gods bless you, child."
Lady Catelyn had almost guessed who Mia's father was. After a moment of silence, she said: "Mia, did Earl Kleber ask you to accompany me?"
Seeing Mia nod, her slightly lighter blue eyes moved slightly, and she said: "Child, do you know why Earl Kleber chose you? Did he instruct you about… anything else? If you can, please tell me honestly."
"To be honest, I don't know why I'm here, My Lady."
Mia thought for a moment, then continued: "When Lord Kleber was inspecting the mountain road to the Eyrie, his guards brought me before him… I was terrified. I thought I would be… I even prepared to provoke that person. If being insulted by barbarians was unavoidable, I would rather die."
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