n

n

nWe walked out of the shop and noticed that it was getting dark like it could rain any moment now.

n

"Maybe we should go back before it pours,

" I told him as I gazed at the slightly darkened skies.

nWe didn't exactly bring a parasol with us so heading home is likely the correct thing to do. Seems like Nathaniel agrees too and has no qualms about it.

nWe passed by some stalls that sell fruits. Winter was already approaching, and I can already feel it from the slight chill in the air. It's probably from the upcoming downpour, but yeah, Estelle's birthday was in winter too.

n

"You brat!

" A loud voice of a man boomed, it caught my attention.

nApparently, there was a commotion nearby. We were passing by it so I got curious as to what happened for him to yell like that.

nI saw the stall owner yanking a figure of a little boy with his tiny arms.

n

"How brave of you to steal from me again! You really think I won't catch you, huh?

"

n

"It's only a piece, please spare me with just this,

" the child pleads.

n

"Shut up! I will bring you to the knights! Thieves these days sure are fearless!

"

nThe man was about to drag the kid away, and he was doing it with brute force. It brought a frown to my face.

n'That's a child, why is he being aggressive? And those people are just watching!'

nWithout thinking, I walked right at them. Nathaniel couldn't even stop me.

n

"Excuse me,

" I butt in.

"I will pay for whatever thing the kid stole. Please let go of him now.

"

nThe man harrumphed,

"If I let this brat go, he will only go back for next time! I will bring him to the knights so they can take care of him!

"

n

"But you can't just--

" my words got cut off, of course.

n

"Young lady, I know you mean well, but you're not the one who's losing profits!

" He exclaimed.

n

"Give him to me,

" Nathan suddenly slid beside me.

nThe man's face scrunched up,

"And who are y--

"

n

"I'm a knight. A captain. Now give him to me,

" he was staring the merchant down with those glacier eyes of his. The latter flinched as if hit, his face shaking in whatever emotion he was feeling. Probably fear.

n

"Hmph!

" He then released the hold of the child who was shivering in fright.

nI looked at the kid and patted his head. The child looked up at me with its big doe eyes, the color of amber. And that's where I noticed that it was a she and not a he. It's due to her haircut that I mistook her for a boy.

n

"Are you okay?

" I asked.

nThe child only bit her quivering lips and nodded in response.

n

"The payment for the apple he stole?

" The man croaked again.

nGrabbing the pouch of coins from my side, I dropped it in the merchant's hands who greedily accepted it. His eyes sparked in delight as he clutched it, which made me smirk.

nHe was about to leave when I spoke.

n

"Where are you going?

"

nBoth Nathan and the man looked at me, but my eyes were trained at the latter while smiling.

n

"Back to my stall, where else?

" The man snobbily answers.

nMy brow raised at him,

"You're not thinking of getting all that money for free, aren't you?

"

n

"H-huh? But this is the payment for--

"

n

"Yes, it is. But do you really think an apple costs that much?

" I pointed out.

nThe man spluttered as if lost for words,

"What do you mean?

"

n

"What else? I am buying more apples from you. Now give me my purchases.

"

nDid this man really think I would just unreasonably give out money like that? After being rough to a child, he would be rewarded? That's dumb.

nThe merchant's eyes widened like saucers, bewildered as hell while I just stood there expectantly.

n'Heh~ That's not how it works, mister.'

nAs soon as he left to get me my apples, Nathan snorted beside me. I immediately turned to look at his face. He wasn't smiling, but his eyes were.

n

"Pfft-

"

nI couldn't help but to stifle a laugh as well. That was weirdly entertaining…

nAfter we got the bag apples, which was a lot, I tell you. Nathan was carrying it all, I wanted to help him but he declines and says he can handle it.

n'What a gentleman…'

nI looked at the child who was standing awkwardly at the side. She was wearing rags, the color had faded and tattered too. I studied her for a while, gears turning inside my head.

nI mean, I couldn't just leave an unattended child in the street, right? It was obvious that she's a beggar.

n

"T-thank you…

" she mumbled after a while.

"This fruit meant a lot. My friend is sick so this is for him.

"

n'There's two of them? And one is sick?'

n

"Where are your parents?

" I asked just to confirm what I had in mind.

nThe child looks down and shakes her head.

n'An orphan.'

nI glanced at Nathan who only nodded, as if reading my mind.

n

"Bring me to your friend.

"

n---------------------***

nWe went into some sort of a narrow alley near the outskirts of the capital. Uno was with us now, apparently, he was lurking and guarding us from the shadows ever since earlier. He joined when Nathan signaled him, and he was now holding the bag of apples instead of my brother.

nThe child led me to a dilapidated and rundown house. There wasn't even a roof overhead, and the door and windows were all broken.

n'They live here?'

nWe got inside, and the room was even more pitiful looking than outside. There was a makeshift bed made on cardboards at the corner where a tiny figure of a child was lying.

nI leaned down and felt his forehead, it was hot. Evident from the reddened face of his.

n'A high fever, not good.'

nI pulled out my handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead and neck, down to his exposed arms. That's where I noticed the birthmark.

n'! ! ! This mark!'

nI looked at it just to make sure that I am not seeing things.

n��It really is! Then this kid is…'

nIn the book, Estelle had adopted an 14 year old boy while on her way from the capital. This said boy was being harassed by some common folk and Estelle rescued him from them. He was truly an angsty teen, maybe because he grew up in the streets. The mark on his right arm was the indication that he was that boy. That same teenager.

n'So, he's 11 year old right now? But why did I meet him here?'

nBiting my lips, I stared at the sick fella.

n'Should I leave him be and wait for Estelle? But that would be three years in the future! He's sick too, and there's this little girl as well. I didn't read about him having a young girl as a companion in the book.'

nMy eyes glanced at the sky which is getting darker now.

n'It's going to rain soon too, I couldn't just leave them here! But… Ah, whatever! Who cares about the storyline going astray? It wouldn't affect that story that much anyway, I hope. And I would be too heartless to leave a sick child here. What if something goes wrong? Who cares about the timeline now?'

nI turned to the little girl sitting beside the floor, she looked around 6 or 7, too young to be out on the streets and an orphan at that.

n

"What's your name?

"

nThe child blinks,

"Lost. I am called Lost.

"

n'Lost. What a unique name…'

n

"Do you want to go with us? You will have plenty of food to eat so you don't have to steal anymore. And there's dresses too, and a comfortable bed. Your friend here would be taken care of too...

" I offered. I don't know what my brother thought about what I said, but I had made up my mind.

nLost smiled,

"Okay.

"

nI was taken aback, sure. She's being too naive, if I was a bad person I could easily delude her. That's why she's better being with us.

nI glanced at my brother who sighed, but hunkered down to carry the little boy anyway.

n'I forgot what Estelle named him…'

nThe child stirred and moaned, but didn't open its eyes and continued to sleep. Nathaniel then went out, and waited for me outside with Uno.

nTurning to Lost, my hand extended,

"Let's go home.

"

n