"Say... Amaris. If I may ask... why are you alone in this forest?" Captain Lysander asked, holding his fishing line steady as he waited for a bite.
The question caught Amaris off guard. She paused, trying to gather her thoughts, and managed a small smile. "Well... uh..." she began, stammering as she searched for the right words. She clearly wasn't comfortable sharing her story.
Lysander noticed her hesitation and waved a hand dismissively. "Ah! Never mind. You don't need to answer. I'm just curious, that's all. It's not every day you see a pregnant woman managing all of this by herself. You're stronger than most," he added with genuine admiration.
Amaris chuckled, warmed by his kindness, though she knew she could never reveal the truth. She couldn't possibly tell him that she was carryi
