"You never told me you were a tree folk," Bea said after looking down at Kol.
"I don't like my ability," Kol muttered. "it's a curse."
"Listen, kid. The Tree gave you that ability for a purpose, whether you like it or not. You're stuck with it." Kayil said looking towards Bea.
Kol knew what Kayil said was true, but at the same time, he didn't want to admit defeat to the faith submitted to him. All those times reading and researching the answer to why he was given such an ability was always vague and dismissive, which is why Kol asked a different question.
"You're wrong," Kol said with a stern voice. "I don't have to be stuck with this. I can get rid of it."
Kayil pulled back, then turned to Bea with a concerned look.
"The fruit of the Tree can get rid of it."
A look of disappointment washed over the two as they closed their eyes.
"Kid. The Fruit of the Tree of Balance is a myth. Nobody has even come close to locating the tree let alone set eyes on its fruit." Kayil said.
"Kol, if this is why you're always inside, reading. I understand. But to question the tree's will is to question Obedience herself." Bea said.
"No. you don't understand I don't want to be like this."
With that Kol took off, disappearing amongst the crowd.
Kol went to his usual spot behind the orphanage. Despite being a bookworm who stays inside, this was his favorite place. A place without much noise and can provide shade during the day when he wants to read—the apple tree behind the orphanage.
'I'll find that tree, I'll show you.' Kol thought to himself, tears rushing down his face.
He began to take a stick and drew on the ground, still mumbling to himself.
A branch fell beside Kol. Instinctively he looked up.
A girl with bright red hair in an elegant black dress pressed between branches. The beams of light poking through the leaves hide most of her facial features, but a girl she was.
"Sorry. I was trying to get an apple until you came and there. Alone. Crying." She spoke.
Kol's face goes red. He quickly wiped the remaining tears on his face.
"I wasn't." Kol sniffled. "Crying."
"Relax, don't worry your secrets are safe with me." The girl said, maneuvering herself through the branches to jump down.
"Who are you again?" Kol asked.
The red hair jumped from the branches, landing gracefully beside Kol.
Mesmerized by the sudden beauty in front of him. Kol couldn't think of anything except her.
"Listen. Don't tell anybody I'm here." She says dusting herself off. "Hello. Did you hear me?"
Kol's mind is still blank.
"What first time seeing someone as pretty?" She says sarcastically.
Without even thinking Kol immediately replied.
"Yes."
Her face goes red. Both of them hear heavy footsteps from the corner of the orphanage.
Red quickly darted towards the apple tree. Making herself small intending to hide behind the tree.
"Psst! Remember you never saw me." She said quietly shouting over to Kol.
Out of the corner, 3 women appeared, they had red and gold matching cuirass. A pointed metal helmet and red leather paddings over their arms. They all carried spears with their shields on their back. They were Oakheart guards.
They walk over to Kol, giving only a few meters between them. The lady in the middle spoke first, her voice firm and unwavering.
"Kid, have you seen a girl pass by here, she should be around your age?" the lady said, scanning the area and not paying attention to Kol.
'Should I tell her the truth?' Kol thought to himself.
Kol's eyes darted toward the girl behind the tree, looking desperate. Kol's heart melted.
"She had red hair, right?" Kol asked.
"Yes, that's her." The woman replied.
"Why are you looking for her? Is she a criminal?"
"No. She's the youngest daughter of the duke." One of the women from behind replied. "Look do you know where she is or not kid?"
'Damn it. Of course, she's a noble.'
"I think I saw ran through and went towards the church," Kol replied.
The ladies clicked their heels together as if given an order, then started marching towards the church where Kol was from earlier.
After a few minutes of waiting the girl came out of hiding.
"Thanks. I owe you one."
"Don't mention it." Kol said, "Lady Oakheart."
Red paused for a while. She took a deep breath, then continued.
"don't call me that. I already get enough of that at home I don't need it from someone my age."
"What should I call you then?" Kol asked.
"Nicole would be enough."
"Well. 'Nicole' I'd advise you to leave and look for somewhere else to hide. If they come back and find you here it might bring trouble to the orphanage." Kol said sitting down the tree.
Nicole looked around the vicinity before she continued.
"Why do you care what happens to the orphanage?" She asked. "It's not like you're an orphan." Gesturing to Kol's attire.
Kol didn't what he was wearing. Bea wanted them to be presentable because she wanted to introduce us to Kayil when he arrived. She gave the kids old but proper clothes and passed down the orphanage for certain casual events. From the pile of clothes, Kol was able to pull together a casual suit and tie appropriate for a 10-year-old, with black shorts and oversized leather shoes that Kol placed pieces of cloth inside to make it fit.
"What if I am?" Kol asked.
Nicole gave a stunned look. Mostly because of what she said regarding the orphanage, if she only knew she might not have said such a thing to Kol.
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to." She said sitting down beside him. "Is that why you were crying?"
"I wasn't crying." Kol clarified. "And no, that's not the reason why."
"Well. Who better to open up to than a stranger? Stranger." She gestures to Kol.
Kol could not help but smile in the presence of someone as beautiful as her sitting beside him. Her skin was fair with no imperfections she was perfect along with her bright red hair. The signature of the Oakheart family.
"I'm Kol."