Gazes fell on the 2 boys that were standing on the door frame. Kaz noticed on the corner of his eyes the cold sweat that was dripping down on Lev's sideburns.
"Sorry, we're late. It took me quite a time to find Lev," Kaz apologized as he put his arm around Lev's neck and quickly walked towards the other orphans.
Matilda looked and stared at them with her two cold eyes, displeased at the disturbance they caused. She didn't mind if the kids were playing inside the mansion, playing chase or hide-and-seek. In fact, she liked it when the mansion was filled with joy and laughter, it made the old building radiant and lively. But when it comes to visitors, she was stern. The orphans knew about that, they were always informed by the caregivers to be quiet and show discipline whenever there are guests.
Lev and Kaz were no exception. They knew that they would be given a mouthful later.
Matilda looked back at the couple that was sitting on the front of her and informed them, "Mrs Greya, every orphan that lives here knows how to read and write. They have been taught basic education, and it is up to them whether they would want to study more advanced books or if they are already satisfied on how to read and write.
"There's a library here in this place and we have all sorts of various books: fairy tales, fictions, facts, and a lot more. We kept everything, dating back to the 19th century up to today's date," she proudly said.
"Wow," Mrs Greya was surprised. "That's good to know. An orphanage that gives the children the chance to attain more knowledge, that isn't common," she complimented.
It was indeed uncommon there for an orphanage to offer free advanced education, especially if that orphanage was 5 miles away from the city of Geneva. Most orphanages would only teach how to read or write, while others taught both, and they would choose to build an orphanage in the city or in the village. But that mansion wasn't easily located, it was near a small village but thick trees covered its presence.
"Someone unique, huh?" Matilda swept her gaze on her right, at the unlit fireplace, and after a few seconds, her deep voice resonated in the room, "Kaz, Geth, Lev, come here. Lily, can you hand over to our guests the birth certificate and other documents of those 3."
The 3 names that were called quickly stood on the front of the fireplace, facing Matilda and her guests. Lily, the maid that was behind Matilda, quickly searched for the names and presented it to the couple. Those 3 were very different from each other: one, with dirt on his clothes, wore a beaming smile, the other one had emerald eyes, and the last had an unusual hair.
"Say hi to Mr and Mrs Greya," Matilda introduced. The 3 did what they were told.
The couple smiled back and nodded.
Matilda swept her hand and said, "These 3 have the most unique traits than the other children. You can choose which one suits your preferences."
The couple stood up and went for a closer look. They scanned the papers and observed the orphans that were both nervous and excited, except that Lev only felt the former. He was so nervous that he could feel his heart throbbing on his throat. While the other 2 were smiling, Lev wore a serious expression while looking down. He only smiled once in his entire lifetime, and that smile happened when he met Kaz.
After examining them, Mr Greya, with his attractive face, looked and smiled at Matilda, "Can we take a minute while me and my wife discuss which child we will pick?"
"Please, take your time," Matilda replied.
Five minutes passed, anticipation can be seen from the faces of orphans.
Wow, they really took their time... Matilda complained in her mind while she took a sip from her cup.
After a while later, the couple went back to their seats and said, "We have come to a conclusion: My husband and I decided to pick..." Mrs Greya pointed at Lev.
Lev was shocked, not just him but everyone in the room had the same expression. They never expected that Lev would be chosen. His mind quickly ran, thinking of what he should say.
Should I thank her? Should I decline the offer? Should I just bow? Or should I just do nothing? Questions quickly flashed on Lev's mind.
"Are you-" Matilda quickly caught her tongue when she noticed the lady's finger sliding on to the next orphan, Geth, then finally to Kaz.
"The boy with the dirty clothes," she finally said.
You should have pointed at him at the beginning, not me... The moment you pointed at me, I thought that I was special... Lev was dispirited as he looked at Kaz, who wore a surprised expression. He knew that sooner or later Kaz would be adopted.
"What is your name, boy?" Mr Greya asked even though he already knew what it was.
"Uh... Kaz."
"What an odd name, Kaz," He mumbled. "Did you pick your name for yourself?"
"No sir, my brother gave it to me," Kaz replied.
"Oh, you have a brother. Where is he?" The man pondered.
Kaz glanced at Lev and smiled. "Him. Though we are not blood-related I acknowledge him as my brother." His eyes brimmed with light as he looked at the couple, "Can he come too?"
Lev was caught off guard, he never expected that Kaz would propose such a thing for him.
The couple quickly took a glance at the papers and whispered something. Then the lady turned at Kaz and answered, "I'm sorry but he can't. My husband grew up in Geneva and he believed that a kid born with grey hair means bad luck. I'm afraid that his 'problem' would be passed unto us if we brought him along too."
"But with all due respect, it's just an old belief," Kaz countered.
"A belief that he believes," Mrs Greya said firmly.
"But my sister, who lives in a village located in the valley of Fories, is living alone and she doesn't care about such things," She added. Her dark brown eyes met Matilda's.
"It's the child's decision, not mine." Matilda slightly turned her head and waited for Lev's answer. Though Matilda didn't believe in superstitions, she wouldn't dare risk it.
"I'll take it," Lev blurted out. He wouldn't waste an opportunity to meet someone who doesn't believe in some stupid beliefs. He was ready for the change of his life, but he didn't know that the change that was coming would make his life more miserable.