"Why am I here again?" She asked in a monotone voice her dull blue eyes staring at the pair of gray eyes filled with genuine concern.

Since when did another person worry so much about her?

The young man sighed to himself and continue to disinfect her wound, which she didn't even know where it came from.

To her surprise he didn't even question her, knowing damn well she didn't have an answer for it.

"How did you get hurt again?" He asked while the girl watch him put bandages on her arm where a stab like wound is.

She blinked and answered in the same monotone voice. "I don't even know."

He looked at her with pity. Achilles Seraphina, the man with black hair and gray eyes had been looking after her after the incident.

"Did the other kids bully you?"

"They always do."

Achilles shook his head slightly and watch her stare at her bandaged arm.

The little girl was wondering why did the other kids treated her differently greatly affected him. She's not his daughter nor his relative.

Then why?

Why does this person cared so much for her?

"Achilles." She spoke in a cold voice. The man looked at her while she was sitting on a stool with her hands placed on her lap.

He raised an eyebrow and was confused why she suddenly initiated a conversation with him?

"I don't even know who I am anymore." Her blue eyes seemed to be filled with sadness for a moment yet it returned to its usual dull ones.

He patted her head as she stared at him while he had a smile on his face. "One day you'll know. For now you must simply enjoy your life to the fullest."

She remained silent as Achilles left the room, leaving the girl alone with her thoughts.

"Does this life is really worth living?"

—Two Days Later 2:45 pm—

"Let's go now." He said enthusiastically. The little girl hold his hand and took note of happiness reflected in his eyes.

The way his gray orbs sparkled with emotions was truly beautiful for her.

Hence, everything that she didn't have is something beautiful for her, including emotions.

But she knew that she will never have those.

"Where are we going?" She asked in a cold voice. Though the young man didn't noticed the slight change at her.

With a wide smile on his face he replied, "We're going to have a picnic with the others."

She chose to stay silent knowing who he meant. Days ago she met three other people which claims to be Achilles's friends as they would like to call themselves.

However for the little girl she doesn't know what it means to be friends with someone nor to have a friendly relationship with others.

It was nothing but a waste of time. Knowing that they wouldn't even stay with her in the time of need.

At the age of five she had been betrayed by the person she call her 'friend'.

Since then she never allowed anyone get too close and personal to her, and she has the reason to.

"Oh? They're here already?!" An enthusiastic voice called out.

She can see a hand waving at them and calling out.

"You're late Achilles— you brought her here!?"

The other two turned around and saw a little girl with long blonde hair in a braid holding Achilles's hand with dull sapphire orbs staring at the three person in front of them.

"Sorry we got a bit lost." He sheepishly replied at Katherine narrowed her eyes on him before saying something to Hector.

He merely nodded and noticed the girl staring at them. "Nice to met you, I am Hector and that lady over there is Katherine." He pointed at the lavender haired girl who smiled at her.

She stared at Katherine for a few seconds before hiding behind Achilles's leg. "Wait? What's wrong? Bella? " He immediately asked the little girl.

Bella shook her head slightly before mumbling something to the black haired male. Though he clearly understand what she meant.

"Oh. It seems that I haven't introduced you to Callista." Achilles pointed at the brunette who smiled at Bella.

Katherine took notice the lack of emotions in her eyes. Is that normal for a seven year old?

"Nice to meet you, Katherine, Hector and Callista. I am Astraea Harmonia-Seraphina. You can call me 'Bella' since Achilles always call me."

Katherine smiled as Callista rushed and hugged the poor girl who stared at her blankly.

"Can you please let go of me? I'm not a fan of close physical contact." Bella said blankly as Callista faked a hurt face and Hector laughed.

"That kid is something else." The blue haired male said to Achilles as he watched the scene unfold.

It is quite rare to see her be talkative these days.

"Well. It seems that everyone is here so let's eat!" Achilles suddenly announced and everyone agreed.

Bella said beside Achilles, the reason? He's the one who always beside her so she had gotten used to it.

Furthermore she doesn't trust Katherine just yet.... something felt off.

Bella ate a piece of cake as the rest obviously having a good time. Achilles laughing along with Callista to whatever joke Hector just told while Katherine merely looked at them drinking her tea.

"So? What do you think of them?" Achilles asked in a low voice that only she could hear.

Astraea looked at him, "They're actually quite a weird group of people."

He sweat dropped. "I figured."

However her next words was something he never expected for her to say.

"But, they are interesting."

Her eyes glistened for a moment and Achilles felt like he was staring at a gem.

Though it doesn't last for long.

"Well then sorry guys but we have to leave now." Achilles said as Callista ran to hugged the little girl again.

"Will we see her again?" Callista asked with hopeful eyes.

Katherine laughed to herself seeing Callista in such a state. "Now now we will see Astraea soon."

"But! I wanna spend time with her!" She whined as she hugged the girl tighter before.

"Would you please let go of me before I kill you?" Astraea asked nicely.

Callista laughed. "I'm sure you wouldn't."

Behind Astraea, Achilles shook his head and she got the message.

'The little girl will definitely kill her.'

Callista let go of her without another word. Astraea patted her dress before holding Achilles's hand. "Let's go."

He nodded and bid goodbye to the rest of the group. Katherine wasn't sure how she felt seeing the little girl, she knew for the fact that she is the so-called-marionette.

But seeing her in person confirmed her suspicions.

Astraea couldn't feel emotions, express them nor identify them.

That somehow might be the worst case for any human being.

Emotions can control them.

Yet for the golden haired seven year old girl..

she didn't let her emotions be in charge of her.

꧁꧂

"I haven't been this talkative in the last three years." Astraea commented as they walk across the forest.

"Really?" he asked curiously.

She nodded and stared at the autumn leaves that fall from the trees which dances with the breeze.

"Though I wouldn't admit it that I kinda like them...

I hate to admit it."

"What's wrong with liking another person that you view as a friend?" Achilles deadpanned.

"The problem would be getting attached to them and not realizing it." Astraea said as her long blonde hair sways with the wind and her face remained stoic.

"Don't you get it Achilles?" She stared at the sky painted in orange and pastel colors, gray clouds.

"I hate getting too attach to others. That includes you."

His eyes widened in realization.

Astraea smiled, she looked at him as sunlight grazes her pale skin, sapphire orbs that resemble an ocean... rather a gem itself.

"You should definitely know by now,

the prettier the rose is, more thorns surrounds it."