Sensing the sudden vulnerability of her commander, Poppy moved instantly.
She reached up, wrapping her arms tightly around Sigrid's torso from behind in a comforting hug.
"It's alright, Sigrid." Poppy whispered softly, her voice thick with emotion. "It's alright. Your Queen is right here with you."
The words seemed to snap Sigrid out of her reverie.
She turned her head and smiled at Poppy.
"Thank you, my lady."
She straightened, her confidence returning.
Then she looked back at Luca.
"You're observant, Hero. And you're right. Compared to the males, who rarely face any danger at all, the female centaurs have certainly suffered more."
Luca opened his mouth to argue—it seemed so unfair, so much like the elf village where the females did all the work while the males lazed about like kings—but before he could speak, Sigrid raised a hand.
"But it's alright, Hero."
She stood tall, her chest thrust forward with pride.
