Lidia was currently carrying half a cart of food and three passengers with ease across the infinite green fields in the east. She seemingly had infinite stamina and strength as she walked. Jacob never saw her so much as struggle with such a heavy load being pulled behind her.

"Well, since we’re going to be travelling for a while, we may as well get comfortable with each other."

"Agreed. I feel like I hardly know you, Jacob. Which is bad because you’re my son-in-law! I feel so ashamed of myself for not making a better effort!"

Doc seemed to almost start choking on something.

"Jacob, you’re married?!"

"Something like that."

"Anyway, what exactly do you like to do? When you were a grouch, all I ever saw you do was beat up on innocent palace servants. I don’t believe you found that sort of thing fun, did you?"

Jacob blushed embarrassingly.

"No. But in my free time, I liked to practice my swordsmanship a lot."

"That’s it? You never did anything fun like play an instrument or sing?"

"Not really. I used to read a lot, but I wanted to put my time somewhere else."

Maria started nudging Jacob playfully. Her skin seemed to be coming back to life, and she was slowly filling her muscles back in with the much-needed nutrients.

"That reminds me, you owe me a song choir boy. When are you going to sing for me?"

"I don’t know how to sing! That was just me trying to use my power!"

"Mhm. Sure."

"I’m telling the truth!"

Doc looked over at Jacob surprised.

"You have a power?"

"I do. And you’ll never guess what it is. It’s the ability to control the growth of roots. I’m just an off-brand version of Emma’s power from the Rose Clan!!"

"Wow. That’s... unique?"

"Tell me about it. Last time I tried controlling them, they started growing out of control on their own."

Jacob laid down in the cart and stared up at the clouds rolling over them. Maria laid down next to him and started asking questions she was curious about.

"Jacob, what’s your favorite color?"

"My favorite color? I haven’t really thought about that before. Do you have one?"

"I do."

"What is it?"

"I know I dress in green a lot, but my favorite color is probably yellow."

"Yellow? Is there a reason?"

"The color is very warming and welcoming. I love how it’s very bright too. Many flowers around the kingdom have a nice yellow hue to them and always seem to stand out amongst the others."

"Wow, that’s very poetic."

"So, have you thought of one?"

"Hm. I would probably have to say green is my favorite color."

"Green? Why green?"

"Green is a color of life and growth. Green things like grass always change so much, yet they never turn into something else, something that isn’t like themself. For example, leaves can’t turn into grass, but they can change color and shape given enough time and still stay as leaves. I find it very inspiring in a way."

Maria seemed very pleased with this answer.

"Oh. And your eyes are green as well. That’s probably what I like most about the color."

Maria smiled even harder.

"So, you hate the color of my hair?"

Jacob started laughing.

"Am I allowed to choose two favorite colors?"

Jacob sat up and tried talking with Lidia a bit more.

"Miss Lidia, if you don’t mind me asking, what was your childhood like?"

Lidia didn’t seem bothered by the question at all. In fact, she seemed excited to answer it.

"I don’t mind sharing, but it’s rather boring compared to other people’s pasts if you’re willing to hear me out."

"I don’t mind. I’m very interested."

"Well, I grew up rather pampered to say the least. There was always a warm plate of food for me at home, I slept in soft beds every night, and I never had any real struggle. However, I never really knew my dad. I just had one hard working mom who always made time for me."

"Did you have many friends growing up? I would find it hard to believe no one liked you. You’re so nice all the time."

"Thank you. However, I really only had one close friend growing up."

A saddened expression found its way on her face.

"It was Zeke. We would hang out all the time, but he was rather stubborn. Such a stickler for the rules. I on the other hand, didn’t care much for them. He always got me out of trouble when I needed it. He was a good friend, the best friend one could have. As we grew older, we slowly drifted apart more but still kept in good contact."

"I’m sorry, Miss Lidia."

"It’s okay. Anyways, I received a really good power one random day, and the king recruited me for one of the noble clans."

"Wait, did you have a last name before being Rose?"

"I did. My old name was Lidia Forger. Kind of weird, right? I personally like Rose a lot more."

"Wow. I never knew you had all this history for being so young!"

"Are you trying to get on my good side for Maria’s sake?"

"Maybe."

Lidia started laughing. Jacob asked a question he had been really curious about.

"Have you ever thought of starting your own family? I mean, you already technically treat everyone in the clan like family, but I mean like settling down with someone eventually and having kids of your own."

"To be honest, I did for a while. Or at least I thought I did. However, something always bothered me about it, and I don’t know why. Think about it. How many kids do you think will grow up in the kingdom without a family? What about being without someone who wants them? I always found that idea disgusting, so I dedicated my life to being the person those lost people can come to and welcome them with open arms."

Jacob was really moved hearing Lidia’s resolution. She threw away an entire life of personal pleasure to be the maternal figure for those who needed it most.

"You’re very admirable. Not many people would be able to do what you are choosing to do. However, I don’t feel you have to eliminate the possibility of having a personal family of your own. What’s the harm in having multiple families you can love?"

Lidia smiled brightly.

"You make a fair point, but it is never that simple. I know myself well enough that if I have a child, all I will ever want to do is center my world around it and make sure no harm comes to it. I’m sure Maria can support me on that point."

Maria nodded her head.

"I don’t think that’s a bad thing, mom. But if it’s your choice, I respect you greatly for whichever you pick in the end."

"Thank you. What about you, old man? Why didn’t you have any kids?"

Doc seemed startled by the sudden question.

"Kids? Why would I want one of those?"

"You know, to start a family, have a permanent little helper. Things like that."

"I never really desired such a thing. I left that busy work to my dear brother."

Doc started laughing even though his joke wasn’t that funny.

As the group continued on, a mountain range started making itself clear in the distance. They would eventually have to find a way through them if they wanted to continue their journey. However, as they got closer, they noticed something unusual resting at the bottom of the slope.

It was a cabin made out of a dark wood, with a small fire escaping from its chimney.