Three months have passed since then, as the new king has purged all of the factions and nobles that were once sided with the old king. Most of them are economic officials who don't even know what's happening back in the palace.
The fact that starvation and rebellion still run rampant even though the old king has abdicated sparked a lot of problems that were once cloaked in shadow, now revealed to the people as more and more riots spread throughout the kingdom. A new faction led by farmers and traders alike created new civil unrest that spreads like fire.
In the empty streets of an unnamed village, just ravaged by endless chaos that swept through the entire kingdom, two children, probably twelve to thirteen years old, were spotted. Their appearance couldn't be seen clearly as it was masked behind the shadow of the brown and ragged robe they were wearing.
Their hair, ruffled and dusty, with dirt and mud stuck onto their bodies, showed that they hadn't been taken care of for ages. On closer inspection, her eyes could be seen swallowed by hatred and deep anger towards the new kingdom that created all the chaos and instability that they had suffered until now.
Fed up with their conditions, the brother stood up from the ground and looked towards his sister. His eyes shone with a faint light of hope that was blown out by despair and regrets, extending his hand to the girl sitting next to him.
"I think enough is enough, Aurel... We can't put up with this forever, you know?" I sluggishly said to my sister, guessing that she also had enough of running away from places to places as the new king's order is to purge every family that he listed in the form of 'reforms' as he puts it.
Without a response, my sister just grabbed onto my hand tightly. We started walking right after that, walls plastered with posters of the families that were purged by the new king, with the top family that was bragged about being the Emberstrand. It was given a front and center page, leaving the portraits of other families that came from behind its picture.
It was frustrating to see that our father, branded as a traitor even though he really intended to change this kingdom. My heart just ached at the thought of it.
"They think they're heroes or something?" I stated with a clenched hand. My sister just solemnly nodded at my statement from the side. Her eyes had been dead since all of our closest relatives and the people we trust burned in that fire. I understand her situation; I just don't know how I can help her recover.
What should I say to her? Can we fix all of this? Even though it might be achievable, for now, it's just a pipe dream. That we're fine? I don't think that'll make it worse. Thoughts like these live rent-free in my mind until drops of water come down from the sky.
"It's...raining?" I pondered while looking up to the sky. No wonder I felt a little gloomy. Even the weather itself suggests that we need to be. The narration fits perfectly if I were to write a story about this, but considering that searching for food to eat is the hardest thing we do now, I don't think that'll come soon.
We continue to walk without an objective. To be honest, I couldn't even grasp the situation we're currently in. I know our main aim is to fix all the kingdoms that the MC comes to, but with this kind of start... I don't even know where to begin.
"Brother, I'm...tired."
Hearing this, I looked at her. Her knees were trembling, with the sound of her growling stomach ringing through my ears. Looks like I'm so lost in my thoughts that I momentarily forgot that she was still following me.
I tried to form a faint smile while keeping eye contact so that I hope that it would comfort her.
"Let's get some food and rest, shall we?"
My eyes then went to look around our surroundings. People walking with rain cloaks and hats to cover their bodies from the rain. I found my target after I searched for a while and approached him.
His clothes are surprisingly well-dressed, considering most people here are from the lower class. Is he a trader? I thought to myself as I got more and more closer to him to finally see his face.
The first thing I saw was both worry and an abnormal height of paranoia, in other words, fear. It does make sense that a trader, especially one that could be considered decent like him, would be worried in this kind of place. Thieves and raiders are lurking around the corners of the streets, trying to spot a worthwhile target for them to loot.
With that explanation, confusion wrapped around me like a cozy blanket. Why did he choose this path? There are other roads to travel outside the kingdom.
My focus snapped back from the magnetic pull my sister had on my ragged cloak, reminding me why I approached this guy in the first place. I honed in on the pocket on his side, and like a silent owl hunting its prey, I snatched a couple of silver coins from it.
We promptly darted away before the guy could realize he was being pilfered by two eight-year-olds. After a short break, we headed to the bread shop, exchanging two silver coins for two loaves.
"The economy is still inflating, huh?" I grumbled under my breath, making sure only my sister could hear. Then, I handed her a loaf the size of a folded adult hand. A faint smile appeared as she slowly munched on the bread.
"No complaints about the way I got the money, like you did two months ago, hmm?" I chuckled after she responded by shaking her head slowly. "Whatever, even if we were nobles at one point, who cares anyway?" I quipped with my mouth full of bread, eyes closed, savoring every moment.
"I never thought a single day that happens could feel like years if you truly take in and feel the moment, right, sis?" I nudged her softly, a smile appearing on my face.
"Brother... You're suffering inside, right?" She said with a stern yet gloomy face.
Shaken, I tried to change the topic, my voice stammering after her response.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about here. You know, it's quite an experience, living on the streets. I suppose you could even say a lifetime for children with noble blood flowing in their bod-"
"Don't try to hide it... I know you miss Constancia, brother," she continued.
Left speechless, I lowered my head in shame. I knew she had seen through me; she had done it a lot in the past, but never something as hardcore as this.
"I don't think... I need to ask you the same question, then, right... sis?"
She leaned against me, tears rolling down to my shoulder. I didn't know what to say, what to do. My body froze, even though I knew I needed to do something. I didn't want to see her like this...
The hand that doesn't cradle the bread gently drifts over her head, caressing her ruffled hair. Her breath slows, tears halted, and her eyes gently close... she slips into sleep. Feeling weary, I decide to join her, resting my head against hers as we drift off together. Shielded from the rain, cocooned in each other's warmth, the Emberstrand siblings find peace on the village streets, far removed from the opulent grandeur of the castle in the capital city.
***
As the dawn breaks the next day, we rub our eyes, awakening to the world. The rain has ceased, leaving a lingering drizzle on the house's roof that trickles down to the thirsty ground.
With each passing moment, our vision sharpens. Suddenly, a shadowy figure materializes before us. Startled, my sister wraps her small arms around me, hugging me. Confusion clouds my mind as I tilt my head, contemplating various questions that might unravel the mystery of who this man is, why he's here, and what intentions he harbors toward us.
"Who are you, and what brings you here, sir?" I inquire politely. At first glance, he appears to be a baron. This puzzles me further – why would a baron, someone lower in rank than a marquess, earl, or duke, seek us out in the middle of this poor and possibly dangerous street?
With a slight smirk, he then answered.
"He responds with a slight smirk, "I am a friend of the Emberstrand family, especially to your father, Aldert van Emberstrand. Those eyes are familiar, reminiscent of the ones I saw back in that mansion... Ah, forgive my impoliteness. My name is Cedric, Cedric van Infernia. I've come here because, within those eyes, I see the potential to change this kingdom... For that, I apologize in advance. I intend to 'kidnap' both of you and bring you to my mansion. I hope I don't hear a no as an answer."