Dariush whispered to Eira with a mix of thrill and excitement: "I think I found my knight." (He smirked.)
Eira said with a low voice: "I know you can see potential. But she only has her left arm, no legs or right arm."
Dariush said: "Is there a way to heal her fully? If yes, we can do that."
Eira's eyes and grin widened with excitement, and she whispered: "I didn't think that way! Absolutely we can do that! And I already have a lot of ideas!"
Dariush chuckled under his breath and said: "Very well, my dear. Let's go and approach her casually."
Eira took his hand and squeezed it, and said with a hint of sadness: "But dear... She is... a 'broken lioness'. Are you sure about that?"
Dariush fell into deep thoughts: Broken lioness? Then that's bad, because that means she has nothing to lose anymore. But... (He glanced at the veteran woman.) It's… also worth it. (He smiled warmly.)
Dariush nodded and said: "Yeah, I am sure. So, do you know her name?"
Eira said: "Yes. Her name is Cobra Vermilion."
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After a few moments later, Dariush and Eira approached Cobra Vermilion.
Cobra saw Dariush and Eira approaching. Her expression got dead serious for a second, before a cocky grin spread on her lips: "Oh look! The great sexy vampire villain is here with his angelic wife. What a great day to see them both here, in front of me."
Dariush smirked slightly, amused by her cockiness. Eira chuckled softly.
As they both reached Cobra and stood a few feet away from her, the people around didn't stop or gather to watch—because they didn't dare to do that in the presence of Dariush and Eira. But they did give glances while walking.
Cobra continued: "What brings you here? Seeing a broken lioness?"
Dariush chuckled slightly and shook his head at the same time. He said humbly: "Nah, just walking with my wife."
Eira just stood there and watched. Currently, she just giggled.
Dariush took a step closer to her and knelt: "But now that I am here..." (He smiled slightly.) "I want to ask you something important."
Neither Cobra nor the other people expected this move from Dariush. Now some people stopped to watch.
Cobra, caught off guard, thought to herself for a moment before answering: He knelt. He is lowering his state and level... for me?
Cobra answered Dariush with a serious face: "Okay, ask. I'm all ears."
Dariush asked: "Do you still have hope?"
This question stunned her. She knew this was an important question, so she fell into thought.
Everyone waited for her answer with anticipation and slight excitement, or even nervousness.
Cobra, after a few moments, said: "Yes..." — She opened her mouth to say more, but she clenched her jaw. Her eyes filled with hope, like a little burning coal under ashes.
Dariush nodded approvingly with a warm smile. Eira was particularly vibrating with excitement, but she only showed a bright smile, her hands clasping together in front of her.
Dariush said: "Very well then. I give you two choices. One: stay here forever and do as you please. Or two: let me help you. I will do something about your right arm and legs—like healing or anything else. Then you can be a lioness again, and my knight."
Everyone gasped at Dariush's offer. Cobra's eyes widened in a mix of disbelief and hope. Her jaw dropped.
Cobra stuttered slightly: "I-I don't know... I don't know what to say. This feels like a… dream."
People now looked like they were going to explode. An elf man yelled: "Dream?! This is your only chance! Use it, you #$&%!"
Another one, an orc woman, said: "Sir Dariush is very generous. You should use this chance, because you're not going to get this great chance again in life."
People started yelling and shouting to encourage her to say yes.
Dariush turned his head to the people with a soft expression and said: "Calm down, guys." — He commanded softly, making the people fall into silence quickly. And no one looked scared; instead, they looked more like they were showing respect.
Dariush turned his head to Cobra and, with a warm smile, said: "So... What is your choice, broken lioness?"
Cobra glanced at others who nodded encouragingly. Even Eira gave her a thumbs-up with this expression: ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧
Then Cobra's eyes met Dariush's eyes, which were burning with passion and determination. Her own eyes showed newfound determination and hope. A first genuine smile spread on her lips, and she said softly: "Then... I will choose the second option. Please help me. And I will serve you for the rest of my life."
People started cheering. Eira rushed forward and took her hand with excitement: "Cobra! It's really nice! I will make sure to make you the most beautiful woman! I already have a lot of ideas!"
Dariush's smile never faded. Instead, it became more genuine. Then he said: "Dear, let her go. She's kind of uncomfortable."
And indeed, she was uncomfortable. She was blushing slightly and felt awkward. Eira let her hand go immediately and said: "Oh, sorry!"
Dariush chuckled heartily and said to Cobra: "Well then, I am going to carry you. Do you have any problem with that?"
Cobra blushed more, avoided eye contact, but nodded.
Dariush chuckled slightly, lifted her while standing. Eira stood up too. People cleared the way for them. Cobra, at the same time, wrapped her left arm around his neck.
As they walked, Dariush said again, but this time with a hint of adoration: "You are cute, Cobra."
Eira nodded enthusiastically and said: "I think the same. But you are also sexy too."
Cobra turned her head away. Her cheeks, neck, and ears blushed red. She mumbled: "Flattery won't give you two special treatment." — She tried to pout, but it turned into a hearty smirk, showing her amusement that she tried to hide.
Both Eira and Dariush chuckled heartily.
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Author's note: 'Cobra' in Farsi (Persian) means great or big. I named her that way, so I can make her what her name is.