Kael and Serenna kept walking through the city, getting lost in the constant murmur of voices, the sound of hurried footsteps and the rhythmic creak of carts pulled by sturdy horses.
The city was alive.
Not like a wild or chaotic organism, but like a heart beating with order and habit, with a calm born from routine and everyday life.
Every sound had its place, every step its rhythm.
Merchants shouted offers with voices already worn by years, but full of enthusiasm; children ran through narrow alleys laughing fearlessly, playing chase as if the world were only that, an eternal game; and the smell of freshly baked bread mixed with metal, road dust and the soft scent of flowers sold at small improvised stalls.
Kael walked with relaxed hands, unhurried, observing everything with almost reverent attention.
His eyes moved from side to side, curious, attentive, as if every detail mattered.
He didn't see buildings; he saw stories. He didn't see people; he saw possible futures.
He saw an old man sitting in front of his house, patiently repairing an old tool.
He saw a woman laughing while scolding her son. He saw young people discussing dreams they still didn't know how to reach.
All of it formed a simple picture… but deeply human.
Serenna walked beside him, watching him from the corner of her eye.
She noticed how Kael absorbed the surroundings, how his expression wasn't that of a distant king, but of someone discovering a new world. And, without realizing it, that calmed her.
That's when something broke that rhythm.
On the other side of the main avenue, right at the edge of a stone fence separating the busiest streets, Kael saw her.
A girl.
Small. Too small to be alone.
Carts passed in front of her without stopping, kicking up dust and noise, making the ground vibrate under their wheels.
The horses snorted as they passed, oblivious to everything, while the girl remained on her knees on the ground.
Her shoulders trembled. Her small hands covered her face. As if she wanted to disappear from the world.
Kael stopped dead.
It wasn't a thought-out decision. It was instinct.
He waited a few seconds, observing the flow of the avenue. He counted the spaces between carts, measured the time, and when the path cleared, he crossed with firm but calm steps, as if the world had shrunk to that single point.
Serenna followed him with her gaze, alert, ready to react if anything happened.
Kael approached slowly, without hurry, without fear. He didn't want to scare her. He didn't want to impose anything.
He crouched in front of her, lowering himself to her height.
And with genuine delicacy, he spoke to the little one.
—Easy, little one… —he said in a soft voice—. Everything's okay.
There were no orders. No authority. Just a calm voice.
The girl kept crying, but her sobs gradually began to lose strength. It was no longer desperate crying, but tired, as if finally someone had listened.
—Tell me —Kael continued—, where are your parents?
His fingers moved slowly through the girl's hair, without pressing, without rushing, transmitting something stronger than words: safety.
Serenna watched from a few steps back, attentive, alert, but silent. Her hand rested near her weapon, not out of distrust, but out of habit.
—My lord… —she said cautiously—. We should return to the castle. We can call the local soldiers, they'll take care of this.
Kael didn't stop looking at the girl.
—Serenna —he replied without hardness, without reproach—, the girl is lost. And I'll take her to her parents.
He turned slightly to look at her, smiling naturally, as if he weren't deciding something important, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
—I think this will be my first mission as king.
Serenna watched him for a long second.
She didn't see recklessness. She didn't see naivety.
She saw certainty.
A calm, honest certainty.
—All right… —she finally said—. Then let me come with you, my lord. I won't let you go alone.
Kael looked at her and smiled even more.
That smile that no longer seemed nervous, but comfortable. As if little by little he was getting used to the weight of the world… and to the people who inhabited it.
—Then let's go —he said—. Look, the girl has stopped crying.
Kael crouched a little more.
The girl wiped her tears with her sleeves, breathing irregularly, but no longer trembling. Her cheeks were red, her eyes still wet, but there was calm.
She looked at him with curiosity, with that strange mix of fear and trust that only children can feel when a stranger suddenly becomes a refuge.
The aura emanating from Kael wasn't imposing or majestic. It wasn't that of a feared king. It wasn't that of a warrior.
It was warm. Human.
The girl, feeling it, stretched out her hand.
Taking Kael's hand.
He held it carefully, adjusting the strength as if afraid of breaking something fragile, as if he understood that small gesture meant more than it seemed.
—Walk with me, okay? —he told her—. I won't let go.
The girl nodded silently.
—Tell me —Kael asked as they began to walk—. Where did you last see your parents?
She lifted her gaze toward him for an instant, then lowered it back to the ground, moving her feet slightly.
—I saw mom and dad… near a bakery —she said in a soft voice—. Then I lost sight of them… and I ended up here.
Kael nodded slowly.
—Okay —he replied—. We'll find them.
Serenna stepped forward.
—My lord, the only nearby bakery is about two blocks south —she explained—. Plus, it's close to the road to the castle. We can find the girl's parents and then continue.
Kael listened attentively and nodded.
—You're right. Then let's go.
They walked for a few minutes.
The city seemed to watch them, though few really knew who that young man with the calm smile holding a girl's hand was. Some recognized him. Others just felt respect without understanding why.
Until they saw them.
A woman and a man, standing near the entrance of a bakery.
Their faces were tense, their gestures disordered, talking to a knight who seemed to have passed by by chance. The anguish was noticeable in every movement, in every glance around.
The girl saw them first from afar.
—Mom! Dad!
She let go of Kael's hand without warning and ran toward them.
The scene happened in a blink.
The girl, upon arriving, threw herself into her parents' arms, who hugged her desperately, with relief, with that mix that only comes when fear breaks.
The mother cried. The father closed his eyes while hugging her.
And the world, for an instant, turned back to them.
Kael watched the scene from a short distance.
He smiled.
Not a big or loud smile. A small one. Sincere.
Serenna, beside him, also smiled.
Not because the mission was accomplished. But because she had understood something.
Her king was kind.
He still didn't know how to govern. He didn't master laws or strategies. But he understood people.
And that… that isn't learned.
Serenna gently placed her hand on Kael's shoulder.
—My lord —she said—, we've already found the girl's parents. Now we really should go to the castle.
Kael nodded, still watching the reunited family.
—Yes… you're right.
He turned and began walking with Serenna, now truly heading to the castle.
Upon arriving, the guards, as always, greeted him formally and respectfully.
Kael responded with a simple, almost informal gesture, but sincere.
As soon as they crossed the entrance, a servant approached quickly.
—My lord —she said bowing—, lunch is already served. You may go to eat whenever you like.
Kael nodded.
He was guided by her while Serenna stayed a few steps back.
—See you later, my lord —Serenna said—. I'll also go eat… somewhere else.
Kael stopped dead.
—Wait, wait —he said turning—. What do you mean you won't come with me? Let's eat together.
Serenna opened her eyes surprised and began shaking her hands.
—No, no, it's fine. I'll eat somewhere else.
Kael, without thinking too much, took Serenna's hand.
—Come on —he said naturally—. You helped me, guided me and took care of me. It's the least I can do for you.
Serenna stayed silent for a second.
Then, without resisting, she followed him.
Both walked behind the servant to the royal dining room.
The door opened.
And immediately, the two saw the table.
Empty.
Completely empty.
All the food had been devoured by the Seven Deadly Sins, who were already there, satisfied, carefree… as if that banquet had been only for them.