After Maeve's tale, a thoughtful silence hung in the air. Seth and Eldric were visibly moved by the fate that had befallen Maeve. Lyra, on the other hand, seemed restless, nervously tugging at her braided bracelet and avoiding Seth's gaze.
"Lyra," Maeve said softly, "you're very quiet. Is everything alright?"Lyra hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I... I have something to tell too," she murmured.Seth and Eldric looked at her curiously. Lyra had always been cheerful and carefree. What could be bothering her?"It's about my parents," Lyra said softly. "They... they're not here.""What do you mean?" Eldric asked, confused. "Where are they?""They're gone," Lyra explained. "A long time ago. When I was just a baby."Maeve put a comforting arm around Lyra's shoulders. "Lyra was found as an orphan in front of the village," she explained. "No one knew where she came from or who her parents were. I took her in and raised her like my own daughter.""But... but why did they leave me?" Lyra asked, her voice trembling. "Didn't they want me?"Maeve gently stroked her hair. "We don't know that, my child. But I'm sure they had their reasons. Maybe they couldn't take care of you. Maybe they were in danger.""But I want to meet them!" Lyra cried desperately. "I want to know who I am, where I come from!"Seth felt Lyra's pain. He understood how she felt. He, too, had lost his family and longed for answers."Lyra," he said, "I'm sure you'll find your parents one day. And until then, you have Maeve and the other Niut. They love you and care for you."Lyra looked at Seth gratefully. "Thank you, Seth," she whispered.Maeve nodded. "Seth is right, Lyra. You are at home here. We are your family."Lyra snuggled up to Maeve and closed her eyes. She felt the love and security that emanated from Maeve. She knew she was safe here.But deep in her heart burned the longing for her real parents. Who were they? Why had they left her? These questions would probably stay with her for a long time.