Chapter 353 The assistant

Chapter 353: Chapter 353 The assistant

Talia’s POV

I walked into my mother’s room, and I saw the papers scattered across every surface.

Piles of parchment were stacked precariously on the corners of the desk, and some had slipped onto the floor.

I could see the ink stains on her fingers, and I could see the frustration in the way she kept running her hands through her hair. She looked like she had been at this for hours, and she was getting nowhere. She was trying to do too much on her own, and it was wearing her down.

Maps, lists, and notes covered the table, and I could see the exhaustion on her face. She had been working for hours, trying to organize the resistance, and she was struggling to keep up. Her hair was falling out of its braid, and there were dark circles under her eyes.

"Mother," I said, and my voice was soft. "You need help."

She looked up, and I saw the tiredness in her eyes. "I know, Talia. But I do not know who to trust with this. There is so much to do, and I cannot do it all myself."

I walked to her, and I took her hand. "I know someone. Someone who has been with me through everything. Someone I trust with my life."

My mother looked at me, and I saw the curiosity in her eyes. "Who?"

I smiled, and I felt the warmth spreading through my chest. "Piper. She has been helping us all along, Mother. And she is amazing at organizing things. She would be perfect for this."

My mother nodded without hesitation. "Piper. Of course. She has already proven herself, and she has been with you through everything. I trust her completely."

I squeezed her hand. "I will go find her."

I found Piper in the courtyard, helping the warriors with their supplies. She was moving quickly, her hands busy with the work. I saw her lifting a heavy bag and passing it to one of the warriors, and I saw the sweat on her brow.

"Talia," she said when she spotted me, and I saw the smile on her face. "What are you doing here?"

I took her hand, and I led her away from the others. "I need to ask you something."

She looked at me, and I saw the curiosity in her eyes. "What is it? Is everything okay?"

I took a breath. "My mother needs help. She is trying to organize the resistance, but there is too much for her to do alone. I want you to be her assistant."

Piper looked at me, and I saw the surprise in her eyes. "Me? Assistant to your mother?"

I nodded, and I felt the hope rising in my chest. "You are perfect for it, Piper. You are organized, you are smart, and you know how to get things done. And my mother trusts you. She already considers you family."

Piper was quiet for a moment, and I saw the emotion flickering across her face. "I do not know what to say, Talia. I have never done anything like this before."

I squeezed her hand. "I know you can do this, Piper. I have seen you handle so many things."

I remembered the nights we had spent huddled together in the storage room, sharing scraps of food and whispered dreams. I remembered the way she had held me when I cried, and the way she had never let me give up. She had been my rock, my anchor, and my light in the darkest times.

"You kept me alive in Cresswood," I continued. "You helped me survive Vivienne and her wicked daughter, Celeste. You stood by me when I went to find my mother, so you can do this."

She looked at me, and I saw the doubt in her eyes. "What if I mess up?"

I shook my head. "You will not mess up, Piper. You are going to be amazing. Just like you always are."

She was quiet for another moment, and then I saw the smile spreading across her face. "I would be honored, Talia. I would be honored to help her."

I pulled her into a hug, and I felt the warmth spreading through my chest. "Thank you, Piper. Thank you for everything."

She hugged me back, and I heard the emotion in her voice. "You do not have to thank me, Talia. You are my best friend. I would do anything for you."

I stood at the doorway, and I watched Piper work.

She was already deep in conversation with my mother, with her head bent over a map. I watched her trace a line with her finger, and I heard her asking questions about supply routes and messenger schedules. She was not just helping, she was leading.

She was sitting at the table with my mother, organizing the papers and making lists. Her hands were moving quickly, and I could see the focus on her face. She was asking questions, taking notes, and sorting through the chaos.

My mother was watching her, and I saw the approval in her eyes.

I could see the tension leaving my mother’s shoulders. She had been carrying this weight alone for so long, and now she had someone to share it with. I could see the gratitude in the way she looked at Piper, the relief in the way she let herself lean back in her chair.

"Talia was right," my mother said, and her voice was filled with warmth. "You are exactly what I needed."

Piper looked up, and I saw the smile on her face. "I am happy to help, Luna Seraphina. This is important work."

My mother laughed, and I heard the lightness in her voice. "You do not have to call me Luna Seraphina, Piper. You are family. You always have been. Just Seraphina is fine."

Piper smiled, and I saw the tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Seraphina. That means everything to me."

I felt the tears burning in my eyes as I watched them. My mother, who had been locked away for fifteen years, was sitting with my best friend, working to save the future. It was more than I had ever dreamed.

Piper looked up, and I saw the happiness on her face.

Her eyes were bright, and I could see the energy pulsing through her. She was not just doing a job, she was thriving. She was finally using her skills for something that mattered, and I could see the joy radiating from her.

"Talia, I love this," she said. "I love being able to help."

I smiled, and I felt the pride swelling in my chest. "I am proud of you, Piper. I am so proud of you."

She laughed, and I saw the joy in her eyes. "I am proud of me too, Talia. I never knew I could do something like this."

My mother looked at me, and I saw the gratitude in her tired eyes. "Thank you, Talia. For bringing Piper to me, for giving her a place here, and for trusting her."

I walked into the room, and I sat down with them. "You two are going to save us all. I know it."

Piper looked at me, and I saw the determination in her eyes. "We are going to try, Talia. We are going to try with everything we have."

I reached for her hand, and I squeezed it. "That is all I could ever ask for.”