Once upon a time, a long long time ago. In a hidden corner of a lush, green flowery land, there stood a lively orphanage house where their laughter danced with warm breeze as if they wanted to keep aloof and indifferent from this chaotic world.
"Tia sister! Can you help me with this?" a small energetic voice called from the garden, where flowers whispered secrets to the wind.
The small frame runs in the garden and gathers the fallen fresh fruits from the tree with other motivated and unmotivated children.
"Of course, Amorus!" Letentia replied, stopping her work. Her smile was bright, brighter than the sunlit petals., as she turned to the child in the garden.
At 23, she had dedicated her life to the orphanage ever since she was saved from the countryside.
Then, she saw herself as a caretaker and cared for the children.
But sometimes, the long ignored past and the painful memories that she tried to be oblivious were still somewhere, in her breath and in her blood.
"Why are they taking Mama?" Little Letentia gripped her brother's hand, her heart palpitated, as warriors stormed their home.
Their shouts echoed like drum' roll from the heaven in her ears, making her feel helpless and scared.
"They're taking Mama away, Brother! We didn't do anything wrong!" She was too young to understand the situation.
Everything happened too quickly and it was too cruel for anyone to witness.
"Stay quiet, Letty." her brother whispered, his eyes wide with fear. "We'll be... okay." Though he was only 11, his voice was steady, but she could see his hand shaking.
The promise shattered as the door burst open, chaos erupting like a storm.
"Let's pick more apples!" Amorus chimed, breaking her reverie.
He placed a round, red fruit in her palm.
Letentia knelt in the garden, feeling the warmth of the sun on her back.
The laughter of the children filled the air, a sweet reminder of the family she had found here.
"Do you think we'll have enough for a pie?" another child asked, eyes sparkling with hope.
"More than enough, Nius." Letentia said, her eyes reflecting with delight and happiness.
She placed the fresh, aromatic apples into the basket and carried it on her shoulder.
With Nius and Amorus by her side, hand in hand, she felt a sense of belonging, but it also brought back memories of her past.
Her hand was pulled away from her brother's, and the last thing she saw was him struggling against a warrior's grip.
"Letty, you'll be brave!" he yelled, his voice echoing in her mind. "No matter what happens, you will be alright. The old oak tree by the ri—"
Before she could respond, he was taken away, and the world spun around her.
Her vision faded into blankness, overwhelmed by fear and confusion.
"You are going with us." a warrior said, roughly taking her away. Everything went dark, and she could not remember anything.
"Let's make it a big one!" Amorus exclaimed, pulling her back to the moment.
Letentia smiled, but last words of her brother's still lingered in her heart.
Deep down, she felt the pull and push of a past that wouldn't let go, filled with pain and sorrow that were still waiting to be healed.
As the children gathered in the kitchen, excited to bake following dessert, Letentia felt a sense of purpose.
She knew exactly what to do, it became a routine for her, something that she could do without thinking about anything twice.
"Nius, can you wash the apples? Amorus, you can help me mix the dough," she instructed, her voice warm and encouraging.
After giving them their tasks, she let other staff sisters and brothers to take care the pie.
She stepped out of the kitchen to wipe the garden path, clearing away fallen leaves.
The sweet smell of baking filled the orphanage, wrapping around her like a cozy embrance.
After a while, she heard the laughter of children playing nearby, and a smile spread across her face.
They were tossing a ball around, but suddenly, it got stuck in a tree.
"...Tia sister, could you get the ball back... please?" asked a child with glasses, looking up at her with hopeful eyes.
"Of course, Sanika.", without thinking, Letentia climbed up to retrieve it. As she reached for the ball, she heard a rustling sound below.
She looked down and saw a young man crawling through the thick underbrush.
He looked a bit tired and hurried, but she could tell he was wealthy—his golden accessories were the real thing.
"Aaaaaaaaaah! Who are you?" she shouted in shock. Some childrenn look at her direction, she waved to ensure them that nothing happened.
"Shh... hey, Letty, no worries. I'm Resen, remember?" the man whispered, raising his hand slightly to show her his scared palm.
At first, Letentia didn't recognize him. He had changed since she last saw him. But then he smiled and said, "Letty, it's good to see you again."
Her heart raced. Calling her nickname... and the scared hand. It must be Resendus, the third son of the king.
They had been childhood friends, but she hadn't seen him in years. He looked different now, more serious and worn.
"Resendus? It can't be," she said, surprised but keeping her voice low. "What are you doing here? Are you abandoned too? I didn't see any news."
Letentia slowly climbed down the tree and kicked the ball back to the children, who seemed oblivious to what was happening.
He glanced around, as if worried someone might see him. "No, I just ran away from the royal guards while they were eating. They must be searching for me now, but I had to find you, Letty. I promise, I'll be back soon."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, squeezed flower. It was delicate but beautiful.
He handed it to her. "Take this, a flower for you, Letty. I found it earlier. I will see you again. And soon."
Letentia took the flower, feeling a mix of happiness and worry. "...be careful, Resendus."
He nodded, his eyes serious. "I will. Just remember, I will come back for you soon. Not a decade, not a year, not a month. I will be with you. Bofore I forget, happy birthday, Letty."
With that, he turned and hurried away, disappearing into the underbrush again. Letentia stood there, holding the flower tightly in her hand.
Uncertain of how to feel or what to say, Letentia could hardly believe what had just happened. "See you again?" she wondered, gazing at the spot where he had been, questioning if it was truly him.
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Amorus (5 years old)
Letentia (23 years old)
Mob warriors
Warriror who took Lentia away
Letentia's mother
Letentia (5 years old)
Letentia's brother (11 years old)
Nius (6 years old)
Sanika (8 years old)
Resendus (30 years old)
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In a flowery orphanage, Letentia, a 23-year-old caretaker, Letentia, remembered her sad past while picking apples with the children. She met her childhood friend, Resendus, the thrid prince who had run away from guardians to find her, and he gave her a flower for her birthday. He promised to return soon, leaving Letentia feeling both happy and worried.