The city’s market was already buzzing when Daisy slipped through the crowd the next morning. Baskets of figs and apples gleamed in the sunlight, vendors calling out their prices above the chatter of customers. She wove her way past them until she reached the familiar stall at the end of it.

  "Daisy!" Anna greeted her warmly from behind a pile of ripe pears. Her cheeks glowed in the morning light, her dark hair tied neatly back, though there were a few stains on her apron. "You're late again."

  "Sorry," Daisy said with a self-conscious smile, setting her basket on the counter. "I had... a long night."

  Anna shot her a knowing look, her lips curling into a tease. "Another night talking to shadows?"

  Daisy laughed, but a blush rose to her cheeks. "He's not a shadow. He's just... different. I don't know what he is exactly. But he comes only at night, and he listens when I sing. Sometimes he leaves me lilies that glow like stars. Doesn't that sound like something magical? I think he might be a moon guardian or something."

  Anna chuckled, bobbing her head. "You always attract the strangest things, Daisy. First stray cats, then half-broken birds, and now mysterious men in the dark. No wonder you've got no friends besides me."

  "I don't need anyone else, anyway," Daisy reached across the stall and squeezed her hand. "You're better than the rest of them combined. You're enough for me."

  "You silly girl. What would you do without me?"

  "Starve," Daisy retorted with a laugh, "and probably get into trouble."

  Anna laughed too, but her smile faded as she looked down and began arranging the fruit. "My husband and I... we're still trying, Daisy. For a baby. It's been a year now, and nothing. We've prayed to every guardian we know, lit every candle, begged every healer, and still, nothing." Her fingers moved over the fruit. "Sometimes I think it's never going to happen."

  A pang of sorrow welled up in Daisy as she stepped closer to Anna, reaching out to gently take her hand in hers. "Don't say that. It will. You'll see. The guardians test us sometimes, but they don't abandon us. You'll have your little one soon, you just can't lose faith."

  Anna blinked back tears, her eyes glistening. "You always know how to say it. Better than I do."

  "That's what best friends are for," Daisy comforted, though her heart ached. "You'll be a mother soon, Anna. I believe it. And until then, you've got me and your husband. You're not alone."

  ...

  That evening, Daisy went out to gather firewood as dusk faded. Her basket swung at her side, her mind still weighed down by Anna's sorrow. She bent to pick up a bundle of twigs, then stopped.

  There, resting on the pile of wood as if laid out for her, was another glowing lily.

  "Hey..." she gasped gladly. She looked up quickly, and there he was, leaning just beyond the trees, cloak drawn about him. Relief surged through her, a smile spreading bright across her face. "You're here!"

  He smiled back, and for a moment the night felt lighter. "Yes. I came because I need to tell you something."

  Her brow furrowed as she approached him. "What is it?"

  "I'll be leaving soon, traveling far. I don't know how long I'll be gone. But I will come back."

  Daisy’s stomach knotted as she asked, "How long is... long?"

  "I cannot say."

  For a moment, there was only quiet between them, broken by the wind in the trees.

  Daisy grabbed his hand, holding it gently. "Then promise me one thing. That you'll return safely."

  "I promise.”

  She managed a small smile, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Wherever you go, may the moon guide you."

  For a while, they spoke quietly about ordinary things: her chores, the market, the incessant city noise, and his travels on distant roads and through unfamiliar places. But as their conversation faded, Hey noticed Daisy had grown quiet, her eyes fixed on the glowing flower in her hand, lost in thought.

  He tilted his head slightly. "You seem troubled. What's wrong?"

  She sighed. "It's not me. It's about my friend, Anna. She's been praying for a child for so long, but nothing ever comes. She tries to smile, but I can see how much it hurts her." Her gaze dropped to her hands. "She just wants a family of her own. I wish I could help her somehow."

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  Hey watched her, the sadness in her voice tugging at him more than he expected. He didn't like seeing her look so down, her light dulled by another's sorrow.

  He reached into his cloak and drew out a small vial. Its glass shimmered, as though it held liquid moonlight. He took her hand, closing her fingers around it with a gentleness that made her breath hitch.

  "Give her this, for your friend."

  She looked down in surprise at the vial, then back at him. "What is this?"

  "A gift. Something that may help her. I can't stand seeing you sad."

  "Truly?"

  He didn't answer directly, only gave the smallest nod.

  She looked at the vial again, then at him. She had a hundred questions, but kept them to herself. By now, she knew he wouldn't answer everything. Still, she trusted him.

  Her grip tightened around the vial. "Then I'll give it to her."

  ...

  The next day, Daisy hurried to Anna's stall and pulled her aside. "Drink this," she pressed the vial into her hands.

  Anna’s eyes flew wide. "Daisy, what—?"

  "Please," Daisy insisted, smiling through her excitement. "Trust me. I promise it will help."

  And Anna did.

  Weeks later, she rushed to Daisy's door with tears streaming down her face, laughing and sobbing all at once. "It worked, Daisy!! It worked. We're going to have a baby."

  Daisy cried with her, holding her close. Anna gripped her hands, overwhelmed. "Whoever this friend of yours is... The one who gave you that vial, tell him that he made us the happiest we've ever been. He gave us the one thing we wished for most. My husband and I, we want to thank him personally."

  But Daisy could only shake her head, her smile bittersweet. "He's not here now. He said he'll be gone for a long while... and I don't know when he'll come back again."

  Months went by.

  The waiting dragged on, and Daisy still found herself hoping. Each night she looked toward the hill, half expecting to see him, half afraid she never would again. She missed him more than she wanted to admit. His absence made the nights quieter.

  Then one evening, as she returned to the hill, up by that old tree, her heart faltered. There he was, standing beneath the moonlight, a glowing lily cradled in his hand.

  "Hey!" she cried, running to him. "Do you know how long it's been? That was the longest you've ever vanished."

  "I had to travel far,” his expression softened at her flushed, eager face. "But I thought of you. I missed you."

  A wild smile broke across her face, and she blinked back tears. "I missed you too. But listen, you were right. Anna... she's bearing a child now. She said it's thanks to you." She reached for his hand. "Please, come with me. She and her husband want to meet you. They want to thank you themselves."

  Hey hesitated. His gaze flicked away, as if weighing the risk. But Daisy's hand was warm on his, trust written plainly on her face.

  "Please," she said, almost pleading. "Just once. For me."

  At last, he nodded.

  And together, they walked down the moonlit path toward Anna's home.

  Anna's home was warm with the smell of apples and bread. When Daisy knocked, Anna opened the door, her husband just behind her.

  "Daisy!" Anna greeted, but her words faded when she saw the cloaked figure beside her.

  Daisy's grin spread wide, mischief showing at her smile. "Remember all those times you thought I was telling stories? That I'd gone mad, singing to shadows?" She gestured proudly to Hey. "Well, look. He's real."

  Anna gasped, pressing a hand to her lips, then broke into laughter. Her husband smiled too, stepping forward to greet Hey with a firm handshake.

  "You're the one who helped us," Anna whispered, awe softening her face. "The reason we're blessed now."

  Hey inclined his head, his manner reserved, almost shy.

  Anna's husband stepped forward, smiling broadly. "Please, come inside, both of you. You've done more for us than we can ever repay."

  They brought them inside, the warm light from the hearth pushing away the chill of the night. Sitting around the fire, they talked for a long time. Anna and her husband wanted to know more about the mysterious man who had given them hope. To Daisy's quiet delight, Hey fit in easily. He spoke softly, smiling politely, kindness in his manner. In the flickering light, he seemed less like a stranger and more like a gentle man who listened more than he spoke.

  When Hey rose to look around the room, Anna leaned toward Daisy, clasping her hand with a knowing grin. "He seems good, Daisy. Kind. You must tell him how you feel. If he cares for you too, maybe he'll stay, and no more vanishing into the night."

  Daisy's cheeks flushed, her smile faltering. "I... I can't. Not yet. Someday."

  "Don't wait too long," Anna warned. "The more you wait, the greater the chance he won't come back next time."

  Daisy felt those words echo inside her.

  But before she could answer, Anna winced sharply, clutching her belly. Her husband rushed to her side, alarm in his eyes. "Anna?"

  Her breath came ragged. "The baby… it hurts… I think—"

  Panic swept the room. The midwife was called. Daisy hovered near, her hands trembling as she tried to soothe Anna's brow. But the midwife's grim face told all.

  "It's too early, five months. The child cannot survive."

  Anna screamed as the pains tore through her. Hours passed in agony until silence fell. The midwife laid the tiny form down carefully, her head moving in grief.

  "I'm so sorry... It's gone. The baby isn't breathing."

  Anna and her husband wept, clinging to each other, broken. Daisy watched, frozen with helplessness, her hands twisting in her skirt as she pressed close to Hey's side, seeking silent comfort in his embrace.

  Then quietly, he stepped back. Not a word, he went towards the baby wrapped in a blanket.

  "Hey?" Daisy’s breath shook as she looked at him through tears. "What are you doing?"

  He didn't answer. He lifted the tiny body gently, holding it as if it were the most fragile thing in the world. His lips moved, whispering words Daisy couldn't hear, strange and low, like a song older than the earth.

  The room held its breath.

  And then, a cry broke the silence. Thin, fierce, alive.

  Anna gasped, stumbling forward as Hey placed the squirming infant into her arms. Her husband fell to his knees, weeping tears of joy. "Impossible..."

  He spoke with calm certainty, “The midwife was mistaken. The child still lived.”

  Daisy noticed what the others missed. The sweat on his brow and the tremble in his hand as he stepped back.

  Anna kissed her child's head again and again, tears spilling from her eyes. " We may not know who you are... You saved us. You're no ordinary man. You're a guardian sent to us."

  Hey shook his head, silent as always. "I did it only for Daisy. I couldn't bear to see her sadness."