Lys came back where Mira was standing with her mouth wide open, while the crowd around her was dispersing. The market was returning to its rhythm, women drifting back to stalls, voices rising again in haggling, but the energy still buzzed with what had happened.
Mira's mouth hung open in a small 'O' of astonishment, eyes wide as she stared at the two of them approaching. The parcel of crafting supplies dangled from one hand, forgotten, as she watched Lys and Mitsu emerge from the thinning crowd.
When Lys caught her gaze, he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Close your mouth, Sis," he said, voice light but warm. "Or flies might go in."
Mira snapped her mouth shut, then burst into a grin, her cheeks flushing. "I...What the hell did you do… did you really have to humiliate her like that?" Her words tumbled out in a whisper, eyes flicking to Mitsu, then back to Lys, then to the direction of the square where Selene had been left standing in her undergarments. "You had to make her strip? In front of everyone?"
Lys shrugged, his arm tightening slightly around Mitsu as she leaned into him, her body still trembling faintly from the ordeal. "She paid for what she did. That's all. I see nothing wrong with that."
Mira's wide face and mixed expression faded into something softer as his words hit her. She understood that her brother didn't do anything out of pity or to act as a hero. He just did what he felt was right, and that made her see him in a new light.
Her eyes searched Mitsu's face, trying to see if she was okay or not. "Mitsu... are you okay?" She stepped closer, reaching out to gently touch Mitsu's arm, careful not to startle her. "Your dress... your arms... oh, that must have hurt."
Mitsu managed a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm... I'm fine. Thank you." Her fingers loosened their grip on Lys's shirt just a little, but she didn't let go completely. The warmth of his arm around her shoulders felt like an anchor, steady and real, melting away the cold knot of fear in her chest. It had been so long since anyone had stood up for her, not out of pity, but because they actually cared. The thought made her throat tighten, her eyes stinging with fresh tears she blinked away.
Lys glanced down at her, catching the flicker of emotion on her face. He didn't say anything, just gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, a silent reassurance. Mira noticed, too, her expression softening further. "So... you knew it was Mitsu? That's why you suddenly stepped in? Even after knowing that the woman was Lady Selene?"
Lys looked at Mitsu again, his voice quiet but steady. "Well, not exactly. I went forward because someone had to. But..." He paused, the corner of his mouth lifting in a small, genuine smile. "I'm glad I did."
Mitsu understood what he meant. He hadn't known it was her at first; he'd stepped in for anyone being hurt. But now, knowing it was her, he was glad he did it. The thought warmed her from the inside, a quiet glow that chased away the lingering chill of fear inside her heart. She ducked her head, hiding a shy smile, her fingers loosening on his shirt but still holding on.
Mira's eyes sparkled with understanding, and she gave Mitsu a gentle nudge with her elbow, trying to soften the tension. "Well, I'm glad too. You didn't deserve that, Mitsu. Not one bit." She turned to Lys, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But... you really made her take off her dress? In front of everyone? I mean...you know what might happen after this, right?"
Lys chuckled, the sound low and easy. "Don't worry about that. She needed to learn what it feels like to be on the other side of the story. So I just educated her a little."
He glanced down at Mitsu again, noticing how she was trying to tug her torn skirt down to cover her bare legs, the fabric barely reaching mid-thigh now, exposing the scratches and bruises on her knees. So, he spoke up, "Well, let's get you something to wear first, shall we? Can't have you walking around like this."
Mira also nodded enthusiastically, noticing why he said that. "Yeah, let's do that, brother! There's a cloth stall just around the corner. They have simple dresses and skirts. Come on, Mitsu, we'll find something comfortable for you." She took Mitsu's other arm, gently guiding her forward, and the three of them moved together through the thinning crowd.
Mitsu didn't complain, didn't say anything at all. She simply complied, allowing them to guide her from both sides. Lys's arm stayed around her shoulders, solid and warm, the heat of his body seeping through her thin dress, melting away the cold knot of fear that had settled in her chest. Mira's touch on her other arm was lighter, more tentative, but just as reassuring. For the first time in a long while, Mitsu felt... safe. Protected and cared for.
------
They walked in companionable silence for a moment, the market's noise fading behind them as they turned down a quieter path. The atmosphere was very lively around here, far from the intense air they felt back at the square.
Mira glanced up at Lys, her voice soft. "You were... really brave back there. I mean, facing the infamous priest's daughter like that? Did you see, everyone was so shocked that someone stepped up?"
Lys shrugged, his arm slightly tightening around Mitsu. "Someone had to stand up. If not me, then who?"
Mitsu looked up at him then, her eyes shining. "Thank you," she whispered, voice barely audible but filled with emotion, tears almost forming in her eyes. "I... I didn't think anyone would... for me…."
Lys met her gaze, his expression softening. "You don't have to thank me. You deserved better than that."
Mira squeezed Mitsu's arm gently. "He's right. And now you're with us. We'll get you fixed up, okay? We're here for whatever you need."
Mitsu nodded, a small smile breaking through her tears. "Okay."
-----
They reached the cloth stall, a modest setup with bolts of fabric and simple garments hanging from hooks. The vendor, an older woman with kind eyes, looked up as they approached. "Oh, Mira. Looking for something in my shop?" she asked, her voice gentle.
Mira stepped forward. "Not for me, Grandma. A dress or skirt for my friend here. Something comfortable, maybe in blue or green. And quickly, if possible. It has already gotten dark. Mom might be worrying about us."
The vendor nodded, her gaze flicking to Mitsu's torn clothes and the scratches on her skin. "Of course. Come, dear, let's find something that fits." She guided Mitsu behind a small curtain for privacy, pulling out a few options.
While they waited, Lys leaned against a post, arms crossed, watching the market slowly return to normal. The crowd from earlier had dispersed, but whispers still floated on the breeze, stories of what had happened earlier seemed to be spreading like wildfire. He felt Mira's gaze on him, and when he looked, she was smiling softly.
"You really did that for her," she said quietly. "Not just because it was the right thing to do, but because it was her, right? Admit it. I knew you had your eyes on her from the moment you asked us about her. I knew you were interested in her, weren't you? Don't lie to me."
Lys shrugged again, but his eyes were soft. "Well, I won't lie that I didn't find her attractive, but that doesn't have anything to do with this. I really just did it because I felt someone had to. And yeah... I'm glad it was Mitsu. There's no point lying about that."
Mira leaned her head on his shoulder for a moment. "See, it wasn't that hard to admit it, right? I know you better than you might think. Don't hide things like these from me, okay? If you like someone, just let me know, and I'll fix something up to get her for you. Lean on your big sis here, heh!" She grinned while saying this.
Lys chuckled, lightly hitting her arm. "Don't get sappy on me now. You are barely 2 days bigger than me, if I remember correctly. Don't act like a big sis, just because I call you 'sis'. "
Just as this sentence slipped from Lys's mouth, he instantly found it weird, 'Huh, what was that? How do I know that? Are Lys's memories getting mixed up with me now?'
Before he could ponder on it more, interrupting him, Mitsu emerged from behind the curtain, wearing a simple green dress that fell to her ankles, the fabric soft and clean. The vendor had bandaged her scratches with clean cloth, and Mitsu looked... different. Not just because of the clothes, but because the fear had also faded from her eyes, replaced by something warmer, something grateful.
She walked over to them, her steps steadier now, and stopped in front of Lys. "Thank you," she said again, voice stronger. "For everything….You did for me today."
Lys smiled, reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. "Don't mention it. Now, let's go get those mana stones before the shops start closing. Mira, lead the way."
Mira grinned, linking her arm with Mitsu's. "This way! And after, let's grab some food, too. You must be starving, right?"
As they walked, Mitsu glanced up at Lys, her hand brushing his, trying to stay close to him.