Nina accepted the gift with both hands. "Thank you. Take good care of yourself while you're in the city."
Zena had given her a delicate bracelet—beautifully made, each detail carefully crafted by hand.
Zena nodded. "I will."
Mona stepped forward as well, offering her gift with a hint of shyness. "Lady Nina, I made this myself. I hope you don't mind…"
She lowered her gaze slightly. "I… I don't have anything particularly valuable to give you."
Her gift was a skirt made from beast hide, the stitching fine and precise—clearly the result of great care and effort.
After her beast husbands had died long ago, she had learned to make clothing for herself.
Nina accepted it with both hands, smiling warmly. "It's beautiful. I really like it—thank you."
Relief and happiness spread across Mona's face. "I'm glad you like it."
She could tell that Nina truly meant it.
One by one, the other females stepped forward to present their gifts, and Nina accepted each of them in turn.
