The man named Len and I walked side by side, him holding 2 paper bags.
"Are these-"
"Is it-"
We both stopped in our tracks. "Please."
"Ah no, it's nothing, I was just wondering if it's heavy... I feel bad having you carry them when I bought it."
"No worries, I served in the war as a knight, this is nothing."
"Is that so?"
Then silence... Fuck, so awkward. I called out to him earlier cause I was curious. Curiosity killed the cat.
"Are these for the children?"
"Yes," I looked up to face him, "do you think it would be alright to give it to them? I made sure to buy food that would last long and clothes that are not too flashy, but I wonder if it'll attract attention. Now that I'm thinking about it, where would they store all the things I bought?"
The man chuckled, wow was that attractive. "Those kids, as you may know, are supported by the tutelage of his majesty. It won't attract people's attention that they have these items and they have a house to store all of these. Although, it seems that it isn't enough, considering they're still stealing."
"Pardon?" I acted clueless.
"Oh, were you not in the peristera office to return the stolen goods those hoodlums took?"
"I saw those things at an alleyway, and the children helped me as I was lost."
"How funny. There's no need to cover for them, I'm not planning on reporting it. The jewelries were rightfully returned, there's no use in doing so," he paused then added, "considering you're carrying a map with you, are you new here?"
Why should I tell you that? What, are you planning on doing something if I was? Fuck you.
Sienna's special skill [Bullshit story on the spot] has been activated.
"That's right! Ever since I was a child, I haven't left duchy and served by my lady's side. My lady sent me out to fetch her dress. She even gave me a few silvers to enjoy myself! Doesn't that mean she trusts me very much?" Like a devoted maid, I rambled. I looked at the man beside me and he was walking stiffly.
"Duchy... Which are you referring to?"
"Aillard."
I heard him sigh in relief, why what's wrong if I was from Verena? Does this guy have something against the Verenas or something?
We continued to walk, chatting from time to time, then he suddenly asked, "are you alright?"
"Yes...?"
"Oh. I apologize, you just seemed...tired."
"Perhaps, I am." I ssaid with a fake smile. Who wouldn't be tired from all the ordeal earlier?
"Hmm... A maid's work is tiring, after all." He stopped walking and I did so too. Transferring the paper bag to his other arm, he raised his hands before halting. "May I pat your head?"
What a weird request.
"Sure?"
The moment he laid his hands on my head, my body felt warm as though I was in a hot spring, the fatigue quickly disappeared.
"All better?"
"Yes, thank you..."
I was going to question him when all of a sudden he murmured, "those troublemakers..."
Troublemakers? I looked to where he was looking at, seeing the kids in a rather chaotic situation, I agreed, troublemakers indeed. From a distance, you can clearly see what a mess they were, snot and dirt on their faces. Despite that, the two of us walked leisurely, it's not like them crying and fighting is life threatening.
I took the two paper bags from Len, of which I had a hard time carrying, light my ass! Seeing me, Devan and Isaac hurried to help. "Thank you," I glanced at Isaac then leaned in closer to Devan and whispered.
"The black shorts, in its pocket are 2 gold coins, use it freely, though, make sure to keep it a secret. You know what will happen if someone finds out, right?"
Devan nodded and hugged the bag tighter, he whispered thank you multiple times.
Cute! Really cute! I couldn't help but ruffle the young boy's hair, this made him blush though.
I picked up the crying little girl, Ellie, rocking her whilst patting her back, meanwhile, Len was in charge of stopping Krisha and Ray's fight.
"You're an expert at this."
Len laughed self deprecatingly, "so are you."
Somehow, I can imagine a handsome man smirking, eyes closed in amusement, a especially charming scene.
"Naturally. I grew up with a lot of children."
"How lucky."
"Sorry?"
"I'm quite envious. Having a lot of siblings must be fun."
There was 2 problems in that sentence. However, I didn't refute him. They weren't my siblings, but they definitely were my family, and it was true that it was fun to be with them, but so was annoyance and frustration.
"Hmmm... Yeah, it's fun."
God, I miss them.
Children cries over the littlest things, would pick a fight over foolish problems. Perhaps it's that emotional vulnerability that makes them adept to comforting others.
"Are you–"
'pah'
Ellie blinked, her head tilted and eyes that stared at me innocently. I laughed and squeezed her hands that was on my cheeks, "our Ellie's so precious."
Once again, I'm being comforted by these clumsy little hands.
"Children are noisy and dirty... Yet, they touch the deepest parts of one's heart." I turned to Len, "don't you agree?"
The man was frozen and didn't answer, his hands hanging on air.
"Brother Len?"
He coughed and like a soldier, replied perfunctorily, "I agree."
"But, how come you're great at taking care of children, brother Len? Is it innate?"
He sighed, "I wish." Len wiped the dirt on Krisha's eyes, "this is the result of volunteering for 3 years."
"My, what an upright citizen you are."
"Rosenlite is in it's glory thanks to his majesty, naturally, helping the unfortunate is my duty as the emperor's subject."
"Even so, others would find it troublesome and think their fortune is a given. Brother Len shouldn't be humble."
Len squeezed my cheeks and said, "thank you."
Now, it was my turn to freeze. Sir, excuse me? ... Come on Sienna, be more understanding, he's just confused... He's just confused...
Fuck.
I'm tomato red right now aren't I?
"Sister?"
"Are you sick?"
"Why does she look like a Scarlett?"
"Pffft-"
"Henry, that's rude. Don't compare a human to a bird."
Shut up! Shut up! Damn kids.
Finally noticing, Len's voice became robotic, "Miss, how old are you?"
"Eight-Eighteen..."
"Oh." He cleared his throat, clenched his right fist, the other cupping his elbows, "I apologize."
"No! No need..."
Why are you apologizing?! It's not your fault! This is so stupid!
Henry chimed in, "sister is eighteen? Why do you call brother Len, 'Ira' then?"
What's wrong with calling him that?
Len released an 'oh' again, and lectured "See, usually, only children ages 5-15 uses Ira, you're at the age that uses 'fen' when referring to someone older."
I... I should stop reading books on plants and medicine and actually learn this world's customs.
"I didn't know that. Should I call you fen len then?"
"Len is fine, it's just 3 years of age difference."
"Then please call me Sienna."
"Alright."
"Ouch! Let me go!"
"Not unless you give it back! It's mine!"
Is our conversation that boring? It was interesting, right Ellie?
'Wahhhhh', she rubbed her eyes, "Ister... Ellie is eepy..."
Bitch.
"Is that right? Ellie is sleepy?"
"Hmmm."
I patted her back and in response, she buried her head on my neck, "Ellie should sleep then," I turned to look at Krisha and Ray who were still fighting over a toy that resembled Newton's yoyo.
"See that? The baby's sleeping, so quiet down."
"Ray, Krisha, don't fight... Didn't I tell you to share the toy with each other?"
"No! I saw it first and asked you to buy it for me! Me!"
"Devan said to share it!"
The young man glanced at me embarrassedly and gestured at the two to quiet down. "Ellie's sleeping shhh..."
1...
2...
3...
I distanced myself and covered Ellie's ears.
"WAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
As expected, Krisha began wildly screaming and rolling on the ground, this caused a chain reaction and Ray also started crying.
"Hngg..."
Ah, shit.
"It... It's noisy isn't it? Let's ignore it, hmm? My sweet baby won't add to the noi–"
"Hng... Uuuuuu..." Ellie raised her head, tears welling up. "UWAHHHHHHHH!"
What sweet baby?
I rocked Ellie whilst rubbing her back, humming a few notes. It didn't work, of course.
It was a secluded area, but there was still a number of people passing by, a hundred percent of them glaring at us.
What? It's your first time seeing kids? Tsk. Acting like you've never been a child yourself. Bastards.
I don't know what Len said to the two, but after whispering something, the crying eased up with only Ellie remaining.
"Bwah!" Reya made funny faces for Ellie to see. Isaac was carrying the timid Remy to help her hold Ellie's hand.
"Hehehe~"
Ah, thank god...
A shadow casts over me and skillfully takes Ellie and gives her to Devan, "Since it's miss Sienna's first time in the central, how about I give you a tour?"
"Would that be okay? I'd be grateful."
"Also, Sienna is fine."
To be continued.