For the next few hours, Rion continued to take care of Dora.
During this time, he told her about the elves, the journey they would be making after three weeks and about the ether.
Dora listened while latching onto his arm like a koala, and because Rion found her act rather cute and heartwarming, he didn't complain — instead, he patted her back and rested a few kisses on her cheeks, arms and neck.
Each kiss caused a giggle to escape from her lips, and upon hearing them, he could finally rest his troubled mind.
While they were talking, the sun neared the horizon, and just as it was about to dip, the wooden door creaked open, and Zaelyane stepped inside with her usual flat expression.
Dora instantly tried to push herself away from Rion, not wanting his image as the high commander to be sullied because of her, but Rion pulled her back and moved his arm under her tunic, rubbing her slightly muscular abdomen with a calm smile.
"It's fine," he said gently.
