Chapter Text
Chapter I: (Red and brown)
For visitors, Krat was a splendid place, full of technology and wonders. Everything seemed glamorous, and the high society kept the capital in a pristine, gorgeous state.
But for the local population—most of whom were far less fortunate, those who did not belong to the world of wealth—Krat was a rough, even cruel place.
Not glamorous. Not magnificent. Not filled with wonders they could enjoy, but with technology that stole jobs from their hands.
This reality was harsher still for children, especially for those who were orphaned.
They lived every day in a kill-or-be-killed mentality. Be strong, or die and disappear, vanishing along with all the dark secrets Krat kept hidden under the rug… or, in this case, beneath the swamp water.
This was the environment in which Lea grew up. She had been an orphan for as long as she could remember, unable even to picture her parents’ faces—yet she could clearly remember her name: Lea Florence, surname unknown.
Her parents had left her nothing but a pretty name, at least, that’s what the younger children she sometimes helped would say. “What use is a pretty name?” she would scoff each time. But it was the only thing that truly belonged to her. So she clung tightly to it, never sharing it with others, especially not with adults, the same adults who had failed her and so many other children before, and who now seemed to want nothing more than to throw her in a prison cell.
She had stolen, yes, but always for survival. She had sabotaged the police before, but only to save other children from being taken to jail. Even if their actions could be called a life of crime, she could never accept the idea that a child deserved to be locked up alongside real criminals… or worse, to disappear entirely, as most of them did whenever they were taken into custody.
No one had solved the mystery of where all those missing people went. Some claimed the Alchemists had deals with the police department; others believed they simply escaped. Lea didn’t care about the truth. The only thing that mattered to her was staying out of a cell—and doing everything in her power to make sure no other child ended up there either.
Even though she had promised herself she would stop helping others, and promised she would never get attached, she always ended up doing it anyway. But with every child she couldn't save, and with every child who succumbed to the “wonderful” city of Krat in one way or another, she pulled herself further and further away from others.
She disguised it as toughness, but the truth was that it hurt too much to watch them die or vanish. She especially hated when younger children got attached to her, looking at her as an older sister, only for them to die soon after: from sickness, from street violence, or simply because they crossed paths with the police and disappeared into thin air after being imprisoned.
She had sworn never to help another child after a group of bandits kidnapped little Francesco a month ago—a boy she had told herself she wouldn’t help, but ended up helping anyway, just as she always did.
She had fed him. She had shared her makeshift roof with him. But the day she left to find food for them both, he vanished. Other kids who were badly beaten told her they’d been scavenging for scraps near the swamp when a group of older teenagers who were always causing trouble for them, the younger ones, came for him and another boy. They had all tried to fight back, but Francesco and the second kid were gone forever.
Lea was heartbroken. And exhausted. It was always the same story: she offered to save someone, only to fail to protect them in the end. Not anymore. She promised herself she would never feel that again. No more attachments. No more helping. No matter how small or quick it might seem. From now on, she would survive by and for herself.
That’s why, when she saw a girl in beautiful, spotless clothes lost in the middle of the crowd, she told herself she would do nothing. But when the girl found herself in danger, she broke her promise yet again—just as she had so many times before.
Lea had been watching her for a while now. Crowded places like Elysion Boulevard made pickpocketing easier. Even if Lea didn’t blend in with the masses, she could still disappear into the chaos.
She had already pocketed some bread and a couple of apples. She was scanning for anything else useful when she noticed a small girl wearing an impossibly white blouse adorned with a butterfly brooch, and a long blue skirt that matched the ribbon tied into her deep brown hair.
If her clothes weren’t flashy enough, the girl was doing something else that caught Lea’s attention: she was speaking to a puppet. A puppet handing out flyers. Sure, lots of people talked to puppets, but this seemed like an actual conversation. Lea was certain this specific puppet didn’t have the ability to talk. She’d seen him before and even taken flyers from him. And yet, the little girl kept talking and talking… and the puppet reacted to every single thing she said.
That was unusual, something Lea had never seen before. She kept watching out of curiosity, wondering how the girl was actually communicating with the puppet, and even stepped closer to hear what they were saying.
Strangely, the puppet truly couldn’t speak at all; most of the exchange was the girl asking questions about the restaurant the flyers advertised. Normally, Lea would have dismissed her as just another chatterbox, but the puppet’s expressions and hand gestures matched the rhythm of the conversation so perfectly that Lea couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on.
Before she could think further, the exchange was cut short when the restaurant owner called the puppet inside, leaving the girl alone.
“Bye-bye, Marco!” the girl said, adding another layer to the mystery, for the owner had called him Giulio instead.
With the conversation over, Lea was ready to walk away, but something in the other girl’s face kept her rooted in place. She looked lost. And confused.
“Mom?” the girl called out, glancing around in search of her mother.
“Dad?” she tried again, but it was clear no one nearby knew her.
“So annoying,” Lea thought. “She shouldn’t have let go of her parents’ hands. That’s why I hate small kids! They never do as they’re told.”
She turned to leave but decided to watch a little longer, following the girl at a distance. She would never admit it, but she wanted to see her reunited with her parents.
The girl with the butterfly brooch kept walking, her expression growing darker as the minutes passed. The realization was dawning on her: she was lost. She had been separated from her parents.
For some reason, she didn’t approach any adults for help. Instead, she searched for puppets who might assist her, but most were busy with their human masters. Whenever she saw a puppet accompanied by a person, she shied away from speaking to them.
In her search for an unaccompanied puppet, she wandered farther from Elysion Boulevard, drifting into alleys near empty lots and a junkyard. And that’s when she began to cry.
She was in an unfamiliar place, alone—and it was a very unsafe place for her to be.
Lea was begging herself to just leave the girl alone. She looked like a rich kid. Her parents would surely do whatever it took to find her. And besides, why should Lea care about what happened to a stranger?
But the truth was… she cared. She was already invested in this girl, and she knew she’d feel terrible if something happened to her. This part of town was notorious for drunks and troublemakers, and if any of them spotted the girl here, nothing good would come of it.
And as if on cue, two older teenagers—ones Lea recognized as habitual bullies who preyed on younger children—appeared from around a corner, heading straight for the girl.
“Oh! What do we have here?” one of them jeered.
The girl with the butterfly brooch flinched.
“It seems this little one is lost,” the other said with a smirk.
She took a step back. It was clear they weren’t here to help her.
“Don’t be afraid, little one, we can help you find Mommy and Daddy.”
“Yes, yes. Just looking at your clothes, it’s obvious they’d do anything to get their precious child back.”
“Even pay a very handsome reward, ha-ha.”
Both moved in closer, and while the girl tried to back away, she soon found herself pressed against a wall.
At that point, Lea could no longer pretend she didn’t care. Even if helping her meant breaking the promise she’d made to herself, she wasn’t going to stand by and watch.
Stepping out from the shadows, she placed herself between the girl and the two ruffians, her makeshift pocketknife in hand.
“Hey, you two. You’d better leave her alone! Unless you want me to give you another scar.” Her voice was low, almost a growl.
The teens hesitated, taking a step back. One of them—the one with the scars already marking his face—looked ready to retaliate, but his friend stopped him.
“Let’s go. She’s not worth it.”
“Tch! I’ll make you pay one day, you stupid brat!” he spat, before both of them finally slunk off.
“Thank you for helping me,” the brown-haired girl said between sobs.
“Hey, I don’t think your mom or dad are here. And you shouldn’t be either. This is a dangerous place,” she said, turning to face her while slipping her knife into the waistband of her pants.
The girl wiped her eyes. “I don’t know where I am. I don’t know where my parents are,” she sobbed.
“Do you know where you were headed?” the red-haired girl asked.
“We were shopping, and then they wanted to go to the Central Station plaza.”
“Well, that’s on the other side of the city. Want me to take you there?”
The brown-haired girl nodded eagerly. “Yes, please!” she begged.
“Then follow me. We need to get you out of here. This isn’t a place for little girls,” she said, turning to walk in the opposite direction from where the girl had been heading.
“You’re a girl too, so I guess we should both get out of here. Even if you’re strong,” the girl added.
Lea frowned slightly. She wanted to retort, to say it was different for her—she’d grown up on the streets, after all—but the girl had already acknowledged her strength, so she wasn’t sure what to say.
“I guess,” she muttered.
After a brief silence and a few more steps, the small girl spoke again.
"What is your name?" she asked; her voice still trembling, fear lingering in her body.
"Mine is Sophia Monad." Her glistening blue eyes shone as the tears finally subsided.
The orphan girl would not normally have shared her name so easily, but there was an innocence in the eyes looking at her so expectantly that something compelled her to answer.
"Lea Florence…" she said, wondering why she had shared her full name.
"You have a very beautiful name, Lea. Your hair is very pretty as well."
Lea blushed slightly. No one had ever called her long, dirty, and unkempt hair pretty. Yet this girl didn’t have the face of a liar—she seemed genuinely sincere. Maybe it was the color that appealed to Sophia.
"…Thanks," she answered awkwardly, unsure what to say, and quickly changed the subject.
"May I ask you something, Sophia?"
"Mhm," the little girl hummed as she walked closely behind Lea while they made their way through the alleys toward the more populated streets.
"Were you having a conversation with the puppet in front of Giorno’s restaurant?"
Sophia’s hands shot up to cover her mouth, as if she had just revealed something she shouldn’t have.
Lea looked at her, not really understanding, but she didn’t press. She was prepared to accept silence as an answer.
"I… was. But nobody is supposed to know that. Mother says no one should know we can listen to ergo."
"Huh?" Listen to ergo? The older girl had no idea what Sophia meant. "But you were talking to the puppet right there in the street. Everybody could see you."
"People never pay attention. They just think I’m another child ‘pretending’ to speak with puppets. They don’t know I can actually understand them," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.
Lea wondered why that was.
"So please, don’t tell anyone about this!" Sophia pleaded.
"I won’t," the red-haired girl replied.
It wasn’t as if she had anyone to tell, but even if she had, she had no intention of revealing this girl’s mysterious ability.
After a while, they finally reached Elysion Boulevard again, and once they entered the crowd, Lea felt a small hand tightly grasping hers. The hand was soft and warm, unlike hers, which was hardened with calluses.
She turned to see Sophia, wondering why the girl had taken her hand — and if she recoiled at the roughness she felt — but Sophia’s face showed only concern. She seemed uncomfortable, though not because of the touch.
“I’m sorry. There are so many people… I don’t want to get lost again,” Sophia said, shrinking in on herself.
Lea sighed. “It’s always the same with small children,” she thought. But the truth was, warmth stirred in her chest. This girl trusted her, despite the distance between their worlds.
“Just don’t let go. I’ll take you to Krat Central Station,” she reassured, tightening her grip on Sophia’s hand.
They kept a low profile. The last thing Lea wanted was attention. A girl from high society being guided by someone from the streets would draw suspicion. If there were police around, she absolutely needed to stay out of sight.
But it wasn’t just about that. Sophia clearly disliked big crowds, so Lea steered them through quieter streets, avoiding the main roads whenever possible.
On the way, the brown-haired girl peppered Lea with questions: her age, her favorite animal, how she learned to use a knife, and more. It helped distract them both, if only a little.
Finally, they reached their destination.
The station plaza was still bustling, but much less so than Elysion Boulevard. From here, it was easier to search for familiar faces.
In the center of the plaza, near the great statue, a well-dressed couple frantically scanned the crowd. The woman’s cheeks were streaked with tears, yet her eyes kept searching desperately.
“Mother! Father!” Sophia cried, her face lighting up with joy.
Lea thought her task was done. She was ready to slip away into the crowd, but instead of letting go, Sophia tightened her hold on her hand and tried to pull her along.
“What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be running straight to your parents?” she asked, trying to pull her hand free.
“Please, come with me! I want to introduce my parents to my savior! We all have to thank you!” the girl pleaded, gripping her hand even tighter.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Lea muttered.
“It is! You deserve it! Please come!” Sophia pulled harder, and before Lea realized it, she was being dragged along.
Lea longed to slip away, to vanish into the shadows and return to her solitary life, but somehow this girl’s determination held her in place. As soon as Sophia parent’s spotted them, their faces lit up with relief, and they rushed forward.
Lea got ready to sprint away, certain Sophia would finally release her hand. But no, Sophia clung on tightly, holding her all the way until her parents reached them.
“Sophia!” they cried in unison. At last, the girl’s grip broke as the couple enveloped her in desperate hugs and frantic kisses.
Lea took a step back, ready to disappear. But a bright voice stopped her.
“Mother, Father! This is my friend, Lea Florence! She helped me find you and saved me from a couple of street thugs!” Sophia declared proudly, bouncing back to her side and seizing both of her hands.
Heat rushed to Lea’s face. She had always lived in anonymity, unseen and unremarkable—and now two more strangers knew her name. Worse, she was being treated as a hero!. She wasn’t. She had only done what needed to be done.
The mother’s expression faltered at the mention of thugs, but relief quickly softened her features.
“Oh, sweet child! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping Sophia in her time of need.” Her voice trembled, a tear slipping free as she offered Lea the warmest smile she had ever seen directed at her.
“I… just wanted to help,” Lea mumbled. Her cheeks burned, though the dirt smudging her skin hid most of the blush.
“She was so brave! She scared them with her knife! And she knew the city so well! She guided me out of the alleys and brought me straight to the Central Station plaza!” the girl continued her enthusiastic narration.
Lea, however, was mortified. She was sure that after hearing this, Sophia’s parents would want to keep their sheltered daughter far away from her.
She was dangerous, and certainly not at Sophia’s level. She was ready to run for good.
But instead of disgust or fear, both of them looked at her with sadness. The weight of their gaze stung more than she expected. She didn’t want their pity, but pity was still better than rejection or harsh words.
“You were very brave indeed, young lady,” the father said. In his eyes, alongside sadness, she spotted something else—an emotion she couldn’t quite name. Excitement? The thought certainly confused her.
“Thank you for taking care of our Sophia. We are forever in your debt. Whatever you need, we can provide.” He offered kindly.
“Yes, Lea! Thank you so much for helping and saving me! I thank you sincerely for everything you’ve done for me!” Sophia chimed in, beaming as she handed Lea her butterfly brooch.
“What!? Why are you giving me this?” Lea asked, startled.
“For you to remember me! For when we see each other again!” Sophia said brightly. She was the only one who approached her with nothing but pure excitement and joy.
Lea’s heart twisted. She hoped she would never see this girl again—the streets were no place for her, and Lea couldn’t babysit her every time fate threw them together.
“I really shouldn’t keep this…” She tried to hand the brooch back, but Sophia quickly hid her hands behind her back.
“It’s a gift for you! And you can’t return gifts!” Sophia declared, still cheerful.
Lea opened her mouth to argue, but a voice she knew all too well rang out nearby.
“Sir Valentinus!”
It was the captain of the police. The entire family turned to face him. Lea seized the chance to slip away. This chapter of her life had to end here. More importantly, she had to flee before he caught her.
She managed to run a good distance before being yanked back, someone’s grip tightening around her right arm. The sudden stop jolted her body and pain shot up her arm.
“We finally caught you!” a police officer barked.
She reached for her knife with her free hand, but another officer appeared and seized her left arm.
“Not so fast, you brat.”
Her arms were restrained, but her legs were still free. She kicked and fought, desperate to break loose. For a moment, she almost did, until a third officer slammed his baton into her knees, forcing her to the ground. The three of them pinned her as she screamed.
Onlookers only averted their eyes. Just another “criminal orphan.” Another stain the city would gladly erase.
Lea’s chest burned with fury. This couldn’t be the day she was caught—not like this. She didn’t regret helping Sophia, but she regretted not leaving sooner.
“What’s this?” one officer sneered, holding up the brooch he had pulled from her. “Who’d you steal this from?”
“It’s mine! It was a gift!” she cried.
“As if! Who would give something like this to the likes of you? With this, we’ve got more than enough to lock you away for a long, long time.” Another officer dug his fingers cruelly into her arm.
Humiliation burned hotter than pain. Struggling in the dirt, she felt the weight of every stare—everyone judging, no one helping. She was reminded, once again, that she wasn’t worth gifts, or kindness. No one would come for her.
At least, that’s what she thought.
“Father! Hurry!” Sophia’s voice rang out from the crowd.
“Officers! What do you think you’re doing?!” A man’s voice followed, firm and commanding.
Sophia’s father—Sir Valentinus—was striding toward them.
“Sir Valentinus!” one of the officers stammered. “W-we’re just doing our jobs! This little miscreant has been nothing but trouble for us!”
“Yes! She’s always interfering with arrests, and she’s a famous pickpocket! Look at this brooch she stole!”
“I gave that to her!” Sophia cried, rushing to her father’s side. Her mother was right behind her, holding her shoulders, clearly ready to shield her if things turned ugly.
“You must be mistaken, young miss. There’s no way you’d waste such a precious possession on someone like her,” the officer said contemptuously.
“Are you calling my child a liar?” her mother snapped, both she and Sophia bristling with anger.
“No! I would never! I—I—” The officer faltered, suddenly nervous.
“I command you to release the girl at once,” Valentinus declared.
The commander finally stepped in.
“Sir, I’m afraid we can’t do that. Even if the brooch was indeed a gift from Miss Sophia, this girl has interfered with our duties multiple times. She is a known thief. She belongs in jail.”
“No! You can’t do that to her!” Sophia cried, clutching tightly to her father’s leg, her eyes pleading with him.
“Commander,” Valentinus said firmly, “I believe you are mistaken. This girl is my daughter, and she does not belong in jail.”
Every officer froze. The red-haired girl stared wide-eyed, while Sophia and her mother, both nodded in agreement.
“Your daughter, sir? But your daughter is Miss Sophia. Surely you can’t be related to this… criminal.”
The commander was catching on quickly. He knew Valentinus and his family were protecting the girl, though why, he couldn’t fathom. Lea herself knew the commander was stubborn, not one to let her go once she was in their grasp. But strangely, he wasn’t pressing as hard as she expected. Almost as if he was afraid of angering Sophia’s father.
“I won’t allow you to call my daughter a criminal, commander,” Valentinus said coldly.
“Sir, please,” the commander treaded carefully. “I mean no disrespect to you or your… family. But if she’s truly your daughter, then why is she in such a rough state?”
“We just adopted her today. That’s why we were shopping. We wanted to get her some clothes. But then Sophia got lost, and Lea went looking for her. And in our desperation we approached you.”
“Lea?” the commander asked.
“That’s right. Her name is Lea Florence Monad.”
Lea felt her chest tighten. She knew it was a lie, but the sound of belonging—of being claimed—was still enough to make her want to cry.
“So please, Commander, let go of my child, unless you want me to involve the mayor.”
The commander hesitated, his jaw tense, but finally relented. With a curt signal, he ordered his men to release her. He half-expected the girl to bolt, to prove Valentinus wrong. But Lea wasn’t foolish—she knew better. When the officer’s grip loosened, she only straightened slowly, forcing her movements to stay calm and deliberate.
She wondered how she should approach her so-called "family", how to make it look natural. But she didn’t need to come up with anything, Sophia darted forward, seized her hand, and pulled her close to her mother’s side. There, Sophia’s mother wrapped her arm around Lea’s shoulders, shielding her with the same protectiveness she had shown Sophia moments earlier.
“Thank you, Commander, for understanding. And for your help in finding Sophia.”
“Of course, sir. It was my pleasure,” he muttered, his voice edged with bitterness.
The officers behind him looked on in anger, but none dared move.
“I think we’ve been outside long enough. Time to head back to the hotel, girls,” Valentinus said, guiding them toward a waiting carriage.
Lea’s stomach knotted. She wanted to be free of the police, but she didn’t know what Sophia’s family intended for her.
Still, Sophia never once let go of her hand—and Lea clung to it as though it were the only safe thing in the world.
At the carriage, Lea hesitated. She was filthy, unworthy of such fine seats. But they insisted. And with a little help, she climbed inside.
“Oh sweetie, are you hurt anywhere? Those brutes didn’t need to use so much force against a child!” Sophia’s mother said, pulling out her handkerchief to wipe the scrape on her chin.
Her touch was soft, just like Sophia’s. No one had ever been this gentle with her.
“I’m fine,” Lea muttered, refusing to meet their eyes.
The carriage jolted forward, and with it, her anxiety.
“Well, young lady,” Sophia’s father began carefully. “I know I told a lie back there to get you out of trouble.”
Lea pressed her lips together, bracing herself.
“But… it doesn’t have to stay a lie. We could make it true. If you’d let us, we could adopt you. You could be part of our family.”
“Huh?” Lea blurted out. “Why would you adopt me? The police weren’t lying. I’ve stolen. I’ve kept them from arresting other kids.”
She hadn’t meant to confess, but the words had spilled out anyway. To her surprise, instead of anger, she saw compassion.
“Sweetheart, the streets are cruel, especially to children,” Sophia’s mother said gently. “If you had to steal so young, it means the city failed you, not the other way around.”
“And from what I’m hearing, you weren’t just looking out for yourself,” the father added. “You were protecting other children.”
Lea’s chest tightened. They weren’t blaming her. They were… understanding her?
“We think you deserve a chance at a better life,” the mother said softly.
“And it wouldn’t hurt for Sophia to have a strong, dependable older sister to look after her, would it?” the father said with a smile.
“Yes! I’d love that!” Sophia chimed in.
“I… I don’t know.” Lea’s voice trembled. She didn’t want to spend her life babysitting Sophia, but that was the least of her fears. These people were too good, too wealthy, too far above her. What if they changed their minds once they saw who she really was? What if they abandoned her, like everyone else?
“We would love to welcome you into our small family, but the decision is yours in the end. Why don’t you think it over for today? And for your safety, I’d suggest coming with us to the hotel so you can stay away from the officers. You can have dinner with us, take a good shower, and sleep peacefully. If you accept, we can all go back home tomorrow. If you don’t, you’re free to go,” Valentinus proposed.
She still wasn’t sure she really deserved any of this, but the thought of having a full belly for the night was enough to make her accept their offer to stay for the day.
“I can think it over today,” she agreed softly.
“Yay!” little Sophia cheered, grabbing her hand.
Each time Sophia touched her, she braced herself, waiting for one of the parents to pull their daughter away. But that moment never came.
Before she knew it, they had arrived at Hotel Krat.
Lea had only ever seen the structure from afar, never imagining she would set foot inside. Yet here she was.
It was immense and impressive, and once again she felt that this was a world she did not belong to. Everyone there carried themselves with an elegant air, while she stood unkempt and dirty in their midst.
She drew curious, contemptuous glances from some, their judgment plain in their faces. But Sophia’s parents shielded her from it, even introducing her to the hotel’s owner, a kind lady named Antonia.
Like Isabelle, Sophia’s mother, Antonia didn’t keep her distance. She welcomed Lea warmly and even offered to find her some clean clothes that would fit.
Soon after, they were taken to their suite in the tallest section of the hotel. Just as the weight of this strange, dazzling world began to press down on her, Isabelle took both Sophia and Lea to the washroom for a bath.
It felt wonderful to be clean again—and even better to bathe in warm, fresh water. But the best part was Isabelle herself, gently washing her hair while telling her, as Sophia had, how pretty it was.
She was given a comb so she could tidy her hair, and just as promised, she received clean clothes: a crisp white shirt and a long white skirt.
It was shocking to see her reflection in the mirror after being bathed and dressed.
Her hair gleamed, and for the first time she believed it was truly pretty—just as others had told her. Her face looked so different without the dirt, her skin soft like Sophia’s. For a fleeting moment, she actually believed she could play the part. She could belong in this family.
But deep down she knew the truth: she was still that homeless, fiery girl from the streets. Even if she had helped Sophia, she didn’t believe she deserved such a drastic change in her life.
She didn’t see herself as a savior or a rightful protector of others. She had simply done what she thought was right, nothing more.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Sophia entered, cheerfully pointing out how much they looked like sisters, before happily guiding her to dinner.
The meal was astonishing. To eat without worrying about saving scraps for the next day, to savor flavors so rich and refined. It was overwhelming. She nearly cried from the sheer relief of it.
Everyone at the table asked her kind questions, and she did her best to respond, even if only with short answers.
When bedtime approached, they gave her space, letting her step into her own room where a neatly folded set of sleeping clothes awaited.
The bed and the room were incredibly comfortable. It was the first time she had ever slept under a proper roof and on a real bed. And yet, even in such perfection, she couldn’t fall asleep.
How could she, when she had such a heavy decision to make?
She thought anyone else in her place wouldn’t hesitate. Who wouldn’t seize the chance to never worry about food again? To sleep safely every night, sheltered from the elements, free from the streets?
Anyone else would certainly accept. But what could she possibly bring into this family? They were offering her so much more than she could ever give in return.
Sure, she could watch out for Sophia—even if she wasn’t in love with the idea—but would that really be enough? She wasn’t even sure she could love them.
She was incredibly thankful, but what if she couldn’t reciprocate?
And ultimately… what if she didn’t belong at all?
Perhaps it would be better to return to her old life. She could be more careful this time, never help anyone again. Maybe she could even try moving somewhere else; start fresh, start new.
She put on her new clothes and fastened the brooch. Then, careful not to be seen by anyone from the hotel staff, she slipped into one of the gardens.
The entrances were all locked, but she could climb the vines. Escape was possible.
Yet every time she told herself she would do it, she hesitated. The possibilities weighed too heavily.
Her fingers curled around the brooch.
She couldn’t deny she wanted a family. She couldn’t deny she was already attached to Sophia, even if they had met only today.
She wanted to feel cared for, just as she had when Isabelle and Valentinus helped her earlier.
But she didn’t belong. At least, she couldn’t make herself believe she did.
As she stared at the vines, footsteps approached from behind.
“Are you leaving, then?”
It was Sophia. Her face carried sadness… but also acceptance.
“I… don’t know.”
“We can’t make you stay. But I can say we’d like you to stay… Mother, Father, and I.”
“Why? You’ve only known me for a day.”
“You helped me. You showed me kindness when others wouldn’t. You’re strong, and brave, and kind. I would love to have you as a big sister. And Father and Mother saw the same kindness in you. They want to help you, and they want you to be happy.”
“But I don’t belong to your world,” she said, frowning.
Sophia tilted her head, confused. She probably didn’t fully understand the privileges she had been born into.
“I don’t care about that. I just care that you’re good. And if anybody ever says something mean to you, I’ll defend you!” Sophia declared.
Lea sighed, unable to laugh or chuckle. This child was so full of innocence, and it was refreshing, being treated without judgment, without the weight of her background.
“If you still want to go, can I just ask you something?” Sophia’s voice was small, tinted with sadness.
“What is it?”
“Can I give you a hug?”
Lea blinked, confused, but nodded. “Sure—”
She hadn’t even finished speaking when the girl threw herself into her arms.
“Thank you for saving me today. I won’t forget you, so please don’t forget me,” Sophia whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.
Lea wrapped her arms around the trembling child. This sweet, innocent girl had gotten attached to her far too quickly.
“How troublesome,” she thought, though she couldn’t deny she had grown attached as well.
Maybe, with this little one by her side, she could push back against that gnawing fear of not belonging. Maybe she could believe she deserved something better. Maybe she could even learn what it truly meant to have a family.
“I’ve made my decision,” she said at last, pulling gently away from the hug.
“I see,” Sophia murmured.
“And I won’t forget you.”
“You swear?”
“I do.”
Lea smiled faintly, then took Sophia’s small hand in hers and together they walked back toward the hotel.
“I won’t even have the chance to, because I’ll agree to be your big sister.”
The other girl’s face lit up with the biggest, widest smile anyone could muster.
“Yaaaaaay!” she shouted.
“Hey! Let’s keep it down, or we’ll wake the other guests!” Lea said.
“You’re right,” Sophia whispered, still grinning. “I’m just so excited!”
She squeezed Lea’s hand tightly as they walked back to their room.
Lea wondered if she had made the right choice—and whether she would grow tired of babysitting this girl—but in that moment, she couldn’t deny that it felt right. More than that, she realized she truly wanted to know what having a family was like, with this little brown-haired girl by her side.