---
"No way! It's a girl!"
Leo froze in confusion as countless thoughts raced through his mind. He was not familiar with this kind of situation.
Before him lay a girl who appeared to be around eleven or twelve years old, dressed in tattered clothes. Judging by her condition, she must have been a slave. The signs of swelling and bruises from relentless beatings were all too clear. It was likely her captors had assumed she would die before dawn.
Seeing her in this state, Leo couldn't help but feel pity. He immediately went to his kitchen cabinet and brought out a bottle of tonic and a jar of healing balm—items he'd purchased during last year's merchant guild carnival. Though low-grade remedies, they were affordable and effective for the common folk, even if their effects were slow.
Looking back at the frail figure on his bed, Leo thought about how to administer the tonic. His poorly furnished apartment offered no obvious tools. As his eyes fell on a water funnel sitting on the counter, an idea struck him.
Hurrying over, he carefully patted her lips and placed the funnel between them. A blush crept onto his face, embarrassment bubbling up from his awkward position. As he poured the tonic, most of it spilled from the sides of her mouth. Hardly any seemed to have entered her body.
"I really don't want to resort to this, but please forgive me. This is the only way to save your life," he murmured with a pleading tone, bracing himself for what he was about to do.
"Here goes nothing," he sighed. With a swift motion, Leo poured the tonic into the funnel, pinched her nose closed, and held the funnel firmly in place. The girl instinctively gasped for air through her mouth, swallowing the tonic in the process. Once it was done, her breathing stabilized.
Relieved that his plan had worked, Leo let out a deep sigh and released her. After removing the funnel, he went to prepare some warm water and pulled out the snacks he had bought from Old Sam's store earlier, knowing it was too late to make a proper meal.
When the water was ready, he used a soft cloth to gently clean her hands and wounds, being careful not to touch any private areas. As he worked, he applied the healing balm to her injuries.
When it was finally time to clean her face, Leo was struck by her noble-like features. Her small, rosy lips and delicate complexion couldn't be entirely hidden beneath the dirt and grime. But what truly caught his attention were her ears—they weren't human.
He stared at her in puzzlement, trying to determine her race. Beastmen had animalistic features, elves had long, pointy ears, and demons from the southern continent had been estranged from humans since the war eighty years ago. Yet none of these matched her.
Snapping back to reality, Leo realized he had been staring for too long and quickly resumed cleaning her face. Once done, he poured out the dirty water and prepared to settle in for the night.
With his bed occupied, Leo sat in his study chair and didn't realize when exhaustion finally claimed him.
---
"It's been a long time since I've slept this well. Was it a good thing they abandoned me?
It feels warm. I'm not cold anymore. No one's flogging me, and I haven't been woken with cold water. It doesn't smell like urine, and this bed is soft."
"Yeah... this is what it's like to be free."
"What am I saying? This bed is soft. Whose bed? Where am I?"
Reality suddenly dawned on her.
Dreams aren't this vivid, but I don't want to wake up. Please, let this be a dream. She silently wished as her senses began to register her surroundings. The chirping of birds and the muffled sounds of bustling streets were a harsh reminder that this was real.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, trying to make sense of her new surroundings. Then, she remembered something—someone had called out to her before she passed out.
Looking around the room, she noticed a figure slumped in a chair, still asleep despite the noise outside. The rays of the morning sun highlighted his matured yet boyish features, giving him an otherworldly charm.
"Beautiful," the word slipped from her lips unintentionally.
Just then, the figure stirred, catching her off guard. Panicked, she quickly covered herself with the blanket.
---
The sun's rays grew stronger, pulling Leo from his restless slumber. The slight ache in his back reminded him of the terrible posture he'd slept in.
Recollecting the events of the previous night, his gaze shifted toward the bed, where an odd sight caught his attention. A figure was curled up under the covers in a cat-like pose.
A smirk tugged at his lips. The failed pretense was almost amusing. Shaking his head, he called out, "How long are you going to stay like that?"
"I'm sorry," came a soft voice from beneath the blanket. The girl hurriedly tried to get up but tangled herself in the sheets, falling off the bed with a small yelp.
"Ouch!"
Leo chuckled despite himself. Embarrassed, the girl fumbled to regain her composure.
With a slight cough to clear the awkwardness, Leo asked, "I'm Leo. What's your name?" He extended his hand for a handshake.
Seeing her eyes for the first time, Leo swallowed hard. They were sapphire blue with reptilian slits—a striking and unnerving sight.
"My name is Gaia," she replied with a small bow. "Thank you for saving me. Please, if there's any way I can repay you, let me know. I'll do my best."
The sincerity in her tone caught Leo off guard. Unused to gratitude, let alone a bow, he awkwardly replied, "You don't need to do that. I just helped someone in need."
"How are you feeling?" he asked, noticing how animated she seemed for someone who had nearly died the night before.
"I feel much better, thanks to you," Gaia answered, her tone full of gratitude.
After a moment's hesitation, Leo asked, "I hope this isn't rude, but… what race are you?" His curiosity had gotten the better of him, though he avoided looking directly into her eyes.
Gaia's expression darkened slightly. The question was a painful reminder of the stigma she bore. Leo quickly realized his mistake and added, "You don't have to answer if it bothers you."
"It's fine," she said after a pause. "I can at least tell my savior."
Gaia hesitated before explaining, "I'm a hybrid. My father was human, and my mother was a Naga."
Leo's mind raced. Nagas were part of the noble families of the demonic kingdom. For her to end up here meant she had likely been shunned by her kind. He could only imagine the circumstances that had brought her to this point, but he knew better than to pry further.
Seeing him lost in thought, Gaia panicked. "Please let me stay!" she blurted out. "I can help with the chores—the washing, cleaning, laundry—anything! Just don't throw me out." She bowed deeply again, her voice trembling with desperation.
Leo snapped out of his thoughts, taken aback by her plea. He considered her words. Having someone help with the household tasks would be a relief, but her presence would raise questions. He needed a plausible explanation for her sudden appearance.
"Can you cook?" he finally asked.
"Yes, I can!" Gaia answered quickly.
"Alright, but you'll have to follow everything I say to avoid… complications," Leo said, coming to a decision.
"Thank you! I promise I won't disappoint you!" Gaia's face lit up with a smile, her relief evident.
For the first time in her life, Gaia felt a sense of safety. Leo's aura was unlike anything she'd encountered before. While she couldn't quite pinpoint why, she knew she wanted to stay.
Looking at his phone, Leo sighed. He was definitely missing school today. His bike was damaged, and running all the way there would still leave him late.
"Guess I'll make the most of today," he muttered, staring out the window.
---
Leo spent the next few moments organizing his thoughts. Having someone like Gaia around was bound to attract attention. Her peculiar features and status as a hybrid would stand out anywhere, and the neighborhood wasn't exactly known for its kindness. If anyone found out, they'd surely start asking questions he wasn't ready to answer.
"First things first," Leo began, turning to Gaia, "We'll need to figure out how to keep things low-key. For now, stay indoors unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood," Gaia said with a nod, clutching the blanket tightly around her.
"And," Leo added, gesturing toward the scattered healing supplies and remnants of his hurried care, "you should rest for a few more days. No chores until you're fully recovered."
"But I can help—" she started to protest, only to stop when she caught the stern look in his eyes.
"I mean it," Leo interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. "If you push yourself too soon, you'll just make things worse."
Gaia hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright. I'll listen."
Satisfied, Leo rose from his chair and began tidying up. His room, already cramped and disorganized, looked even worse now with bloodied cloths and empty bottles lying around. Gaia watched him work, her sapphire eyes studying his every movement.
"You don't have to clean up after me," she said quietly, her guilt evident.
"Don't worry about it," Leo replied, brushing off her concern. "I've lived on my own for years now. Cleaning's second nature at this point."
The mention of his solitude caught Gaia's attention. "You live alone? What about your family?"
Leo paused, his hand hovering over a pile of discarded bandages. For a moment, his expression darkened, but he quickly masked it with a forced smile.
"Let's just say I've been on my own for a while," he said, avoiding her gaze.
Gaia sensed the weight behind his words and decided not to press further. Instead, she shifted the conversation.
"Thank you for everything. Most people wouldn't have done what you did for me," she said earnestly.
"Well, I guess I'm not most people," Leo replied, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
---
As the day progressed, Leo found himself growing increasingly aware of Gaia's presence. Despite her weakened state, she moved gracefully, her every motion deliberate and calculated. It was as though she were trying not to disrupt his space more than necessary.
"Where did you learn to be so careful?" Leo asked, unable to suppress his curiosity.
Gaia hesitated before answering, her voice barely above a whisper. "When you're a slave, you learn quickly. Any mistake can mean punishment."
Her words hit Leo like a punch to the gut. He wanted to say something, to offer some kind of comfort, but what could he say? He knew nothing of her suffering, nothing of the life she had endured.
"You're not a slave anymore," he finally said, his voice firm. "No one's going to punish you here."
Gaia looked up at him, her reptilian eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, she seemed on the verge of tears but quickly composed herself.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
---
Later that evening, as the sun began to set, Leo prepared a simple meal of bread, cheese, and stew. He placed a bowl in front of Gaia, who looked at it as though it were a feast.
"You should eat more," Leo said, noticing how she hesitated before taking her first bite.
"I'm fine," Gaia replied, though her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl. Embarrassed, she quickly started eating, her delicate manners belying her hunger.
"You're pretty polite for someone who's been through so much," Leo remarked, watching her.
"My mother taught me," Gaia said with a small smile. "She said that no matter what happens, I should always carry myself with dignity."
Leo nodded, impressed. "She sounds like an incredible person."
"She was," Gaia replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
Leo decided not to push further. Instead, he focused on his own meal, letting the comfortable silence stretch between them.
---
As night fell, Leo prepared a makeshift bed for himself on the floor.
"You don't have to do that," Gaia protested, her guilt evident. "I can sleep on the floor."
"Not happening," Leo replied firmly. "You're still recovering, and besides, I'm used to roughing it."
Despite her protests, Gaia eventually relented. As she lay down on the bed, she found herself watching Leo as he adjusted his blanket on the floor.
"Why are you being so kind to me?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a mix of gratitude and confusion.
Leo paused, then shrugged. "Because someone once helped me when I needed it most. I guess I'm just paying it forward."
Gaia stared at him, her heart swelling with a warmth she hadn't felt in years.
"Thank you," she said again, her voice barely audible.
Leo simply nodded, turning over to face the wall. As exhaustion claimed him once more, Gaia lay awake, her mind racing with thoughts of her new reality. For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to hope.
---