Lena stared with widening eyes. Realizing that she was letting such an expression show openly, she quickly gave a full body shiver as she reoriented herself. She gave the child a warm smile.
The process had been visibly awkward. But with the time she had spent here, even if it wasn't much, everyone had come to understand her better. Even those that didn't still recognize her as the savior of the children.
The woman who had entered a land hostile to her. The one who saved an innocent human from a wrongful execution. The one who had gathered evidence from the most unlikely sources. The one who cleared out the Deer King's minions, found their hidden dens, and personally escorted a dozen children back.
And more.
It was impossible not to recognize someone like that.
She held out her wrist, and let the child put it on her.
"Thank you." Lena responded. She nodded at her sincerely. "I appreciate your token of gratitude. I will keep it safe."
