The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm and inviting glow upon the town of Wonderelle. The cathedral's bell resonated through the cobblestone streets, indicating the arrival of noon. A few plumehearts, akin to pigeons, had gathered by the door of a quaint bakery, pecking at scattered bread scraps, their coos harmonizing with the distant chime.
The heart of Wonderelle buzzed with life, its streets teeming with colorful stalls, merchants of all kinds, and the aroma of various foods wafted through the air. Vendors called out to passersby, enticing them with their wares—jewelers displayed glistening trinkets, fruit sellers arranged their vibrant produce in tantalizing pyramids, and the blacksmith's rhythmic clang echoed as he crafted weapons and armor.
Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the air, and children's playful giggles echoed in the alleyways. The town was indeed a place of vibrancy, a haven of lives interwoven in harmony.
Yet, tucked away in the shadows of a back alley, a stark contrast to the lively streets, there was the growling of a hungry stomach, the sound echoing like an unanswered plea.
Reeza, draped in a tattered hooded cloak, stood in solitude, her figure blending seamlessly with the alley's obscurity. She clutched a stale loaf of bread, its hardness a testament to the passage of time and scarcity of sustenance. Her once bright and rebellious eyes now held a weariness that came from a life of hardship and want.
As she leaned against the cold stone wall, her lifeless gaze fell upon the meager bread in her hand. In the midst of this bustling town, Reeza's plight stood as a stark reminder of the harsh realities that persisted just beyond the cheerful façade.
She closed her eyes for a moment, and in that brief moment, she was transported back to a distant memory—a time when bread was warm and fresh, and her heart was unburdened by the weight of the world.
In a serene valley nestled between gentle hills, a quaint village lay bathed in sunlight. The rolling green plains danced in the cool breeze descending from the snow-capped mountain peaks. Farmers toiled diligently under the sun's unwavering gaze, finding solace in the refreshing wind that brushed across the fields.
Beneath the expansive canopy of towering trees, the laughter of children echoed as they frolicked and played with handcrafted wooden toys.
Reeza, a mere five-year-old, lay sprawled on her stomach amidst the tall grass, mesmerized by the miniature rainbow cast by the spinning waterwheel. Suddenly, she sensed a delicate weight settling atop her head.
The mastermind, just as young as Reeza, stepped back, framing her friend with her fingers. "Perfect!" she exclaimed with infectious enthusiasm. "It looks really good on you."
Reeza reached up, her eyes widening in delight as she realized the gift bestowed upon her: a tiara intricately woven from delicate flowers and blades of grass. "Oh my gosh! This is so pretty! I love it, Hatice! Thank you!"
Hatice beamed with pride, heaving a triumphant hum. "I can teach you how to make one if you'd like," she offered, her grin widening into a mischievous smirk.
Reeza's excitement was palpable as she nodded vigorously in agreement.
As they sat weaving another floral tiara amidst their laughter and shared tales, their peaceful moment was shattered by the arrival of a breathless youth. With urgency in his eyes, he relayed urgent news to Hatice: her father had collapsed while toiling in the fields.
Heart pounding with dread, Hatice dashed towards the clinic, her mind a whirlwind of fear. Upon arrival, she was met with a somber congregation of villagers, their faces drained of color. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, painting a grim picture of her father's plight.
Forcing her way through the throng of mourners, Hatice reached the entrance of the clinic. Inside, a scene of devastation awaited her. Her mother, tears streaming down her face, knelt beside the lifeless form of her father, his body partially shrouded in a white sheet.
With a choked gasp, the woman darted to her daughter's side upon noting her presence, burying the girl's face in her bosom to shield her from witnessing anymore of the devastating sight before her. But it was too late; the image of her father's lifeless body had already etched itself into Hatice's mind and soul, leaving behind a profound ache of grief.
***
Morning dew still hung on the leaves. The sun had yet to rise beyond the distant mountains. Despite the frigid cold, Reeza devoted the entire morning perfecting a tiara, her fingers tinged green from handling the grass. With a radiant smile, she inspected her work before hurrying to her friend's house, eager to present her handmade gift in hopes of lifting Hatice's spirits.
"...I-I'm sorry about what happened to your father," Reeza stuttered, unveiling the tiara from behind her back and offering it to Hatice. "It may not be as nice as the one you made, but I hope it will make you feel a little bit better."
Hatice gazed at the ornament with indifference, her expression turning sour. In a sudden burst of fury, she slapped the gift from Reeza's hands, sending it crashing against the wall. The delicate blades of grass holding the tiara together unraveled, scattering flowers in all directions.
"I don't want your stupid gift!" spat Hatice. "Just leave me alone! Go! Get out of here right now!"
Reeza stood rooted to the spot, stunned by her friend's outburst. Beneath Hatice's rage, she sensed the profound sorrow that gripped her heart. The warmth and familiarity of their friendship seemed to vanish, replaced by an icy barrier of grief. As Hatice's anger gradually subsided into a hollow gaze, Reeza could somehow tell that her friend's heart would remain frozen, even amidst the flames of a smithy's forge.
***
In a cozy cottage, a small family gathered around a weathered wooden table. Reeza, an innocent, bright-eyed girl with a heart full of wonder, sat between her mother and father. They held hands, their fingers interlaced, and closed their eyes for a moment of prayer before their morning meal.
The room was bathed in the warm, flickering glow of the fireplace and a gently humming mana lamp. The table was adorned with a basket of freshly baked bread, a hearty stew, a medley of vegetables, and succulent meat, the rich aroma of each filling the air.
Reeza's voice, full of youthful exuberance, broke the brief silence as they finished their prayer. "Amen!" she exclaimed, her gratitude clear. "Thank you, Mama and Papa for working so hard to put this food on our table."
Her parents exchanged a loving glance, touched by their daughter's appreciation. After their meal, her father began preparing to head out to the fields to tend to their crops. Reeza, eager to help, pattered over to him with her innocent eyes shining.
"Papa, can I help you in the fields today?" she asked, her face beaming with enthusiasm.
Her father looked to his wife with a hint of concern, his voice tender as he knelt down and pulled his daughter into a warm hug. "I'm delighted you want to help, Reeza, but today, I think you should help your mother here."
Reeza's small cheeks inflated like a pair of balloons, but she nodded understandingly and went over to her mother's side. She looked up at her with those same bright eyes and asked, "Mama, are there any chores that I can help with?"
Her mother's expression softened with both love and worry as she patted Reeza's head and then knelt to caress her cheek. "Sweetheart," she began, her voice gentle, "I'm happy you want to help, but wouldn't it be better if you went out to play with the other children?"
At the suggestion, Reeza remembered the breathless and wide-eyed messenger who had delivered the tragic news to her friend.
"But I want to learn how to help you and Papa," Reeza insisted, her ruby red eyes quivering.
"I know. But we don't want you to grow up too quickly, dear. There will be plenty of time for that in the future. But, for right now, you deserve to enjoy your childhood."
Reeza's disappointment was evident in her frown, but she nodded with a kind smile and kissed her mother's cheek. "Kay. I'll go and play outside then," she said before heading towards the door. "I love you!"
As she disappeared outside, her parents exchanged worrisome gazes.
"The poor child," the mother began with a heavy sigh. "She's transformed so drastically since the incident with Hatice."
"It's truly a dilemma," the father added, his brow furrowed in concern.
Reeza had remarkably grown into independence and maturity for her age, a mixed blessing born from an appalling event. Nevertheless, they were determined to ensure their little girl experienced the simple joys and innocence of childhood before the burdens of adulthood could weigh her down.
Reeza hastily pushed the distant memory aside, the ache of hunger urging her to devour the stale bread that felt as hard as dried concrete slipping down her throat. Finishing the meager meal with a gulp of water, she then shifted her attention to the constant flow of people passing by the alley.
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