The morning sun hung high above the manor grounds.
Workers moved through the estate as they always did—maids carrying linens, servants tending gardens, stablehands feeding horses, and guards patrolling the walls.
To outsiders, it was a peaceful place.
But every family carried stories.
Some carried burdens.
And some carried sins.
Among the children of the manor were three boys who knew this better than most.
The first was Renasu, a boy of ten years old.
His father worked in the stables as a groom, tending horses from dawn until dusk. The man was hardworking and loyal now.
But people still whispered.
"Former thief."
"Once stole from merchants."
"Can't trust blood like that."
Renasu heard those words often enough.
The second was Cyse, nine years old.
His father served inside the manor as the Head Butler.
Polite.
Professional.
Respected.
Yet servants still remembered the old rumors.
"He was a liar."
"Cheated people."
"Couldn't tell truth from falsehood."
Cyse hated those stories.
The third was Cyte, eleven years old.
The oldest among them.
His father served under Lord Ascirick as a warrior.
Strong.
Disciplined.
Dependable.
But whenever soldiers drank too much, the old tales surfaced.
"Murderer."
"Killed men."
"More blood on his hands than any knight."
Whether the stories were true or not hardly mattered.
Children listened.
Children remembered.
And children suffered for things they never did.
Yet despite everything, the three boys remained friends.
Perhaps because they understood one another.
Perhaps because no one else did.
At the moment, however, none of them were thinking about family reputations.
They were thinking about something much more important.
Finding Lexy.
"Where is she?" Renasu groaned.
The boys walked through one of the manor courtyards.
"I checked the stables already."
Cyte shrugged.
"Maybe she's with her mother."
Cyse shook his head.
"Nope."
"How do you know?"
"I checked."
"You checked?"
"I check everywhere."
"That's weird."
Cyse ignored him.
The boys continued walking.
As they passed near one of the inner paths, they noticed several guards stationed around the training grounds.
Cyte immediately frowned.
"See?"
"What?" asked Renasu.
"The training grounds."
"What about them?"
"They're closed."
Renasu blinked.
"Since when?"
"Since yesterday."
The apprentice knight crossed his arms.
"My father says nobody is allowed inside."
"Not even soldiers."
"Not even knights."
Cyse looked toward the training grounds curiously.
"Maybe Lord Ascirick is training somebody important."
"Maybe."
"Or maybe they're hiding treasure."
Cyte rolled his eyes.
"You're stupid."
Renasu laughed.
Cyse pointed dramatically.
"You'll regret those words when I discover hidden gold."
"You can't even find your socks."
"I found them."
"After three weeks."
The boys burst into laughter.
Eventually the laughter settled.
Renasu glanced around.
"...Still."
"What?"
"The manor feels strange lately."
Cyte nodded.
He understood.
Everyone felt it.
Servants whispered.
Guards stood straighter.
Maids smiled more.
Even Lord Ascirick seemed different.
The entire manor felt...
Lighter.
As though something invisible had changed.
"Yeah," Cyte admitted.
"It does."
Cyse barely heard them.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
Specifically...
On someone.
The other two immediately noticed.
Renasu smirked.
"Oh no."
Cyte groaned.
"Not again."
Cyse blinked.
"What?"
"You're thinking about her."
"Who?"
"The Girl that entered the manor, yesterday."
Cyse immediately turned red.
"I am not."
"You absolutely are."
"I am not."
"You absolutely are."
The two repeated themselves several times before Cyte interrupted.
"You're both idiots."
Cyse crossed his arms.
"She's nice."
Renasu laughed.
"That's not what you said yesterday."
Cyse nearly stumbled.
"I never said anything!"
"You said she looked like a princess."
Cyse froze.
The other two immediately started laughing.
"You actually said it!"
"I DIDN'T!"
"You did!"
"I DIDN'T!"
By now all three were laughing.
Even Cyse.
Eventually their wandering brought them toward the medical ward.
A familiar place.
A place where one particular girl often appeared.
Renasu cupped his hands around his mouth.
"LEXY!"
Cyte joined him.
"LEXY! ARE YOU HERE?!"
Cyse shouted too.
"LET'S PLAY!"
For a moment there was silence.
Then a voice answered from inside.
"NO!"
The three boys blinked.
Another pause.
Then—
"I'M BUSY!"
The boys looked at one another.
Busy?
Lexy?
Impossible.
Immediately curious, they pushed open the medical ward doors.
Inside they found shelves lined with medicine, herbs, bandages, and equipment.
Doctor Karly sat nearby.
Watching.
Observing.
Trying not to laugh.
Meanwhile Lexy sat at a table.
Completely focused.
Her tongue poked slightly from the corner of her mouth in concentration.
Several rolls of bandages lay scattered around her.
A wooden training dummy arm rested on the table.
And Lexy was carefully wrapping it.
Very carefully.
Very seriously.
The three boys stared.
Lexy ignored them.
Cyse finally asked,
"...What are you doing?"
Without looking up she answered,
"Learning."
The boys looked at one another.
Confused.
Renasu stepped closer.
"Learning what?"
"Medicine."
The three froze.
"Medicine?"
Lexy nodded proudly.
"Basic treatment."
Cyte blinked.
"Why?"
Finally Lexy looked up.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Because someday I'll heal people."
Doctor Karly smiled faintly.
The boys looked skeptical.
Very skeptical.
Renasu pointed at the horribly wrapped bandage.
"It looks like you're strangling the arm."
Lexy's face reddened.
"I'M LEARNING!"
Cyse leaned closer.
"Who are you trying to heal?"
Nobody noticed the smile forming on Karly's face.
Lexy immediately looked away.
"...Nobody."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You're totally lying."
"I'm not!"
Cyte suddenly grinned.
"Oh."
The realization struck him.
"Ohhhhh."
Renasu caught on instantly.
"Ohhhhh."
Cyse joined them.
"OHHHHHH."
Lexy's face became bright red.
"STOP THAT!"
The three boys laughed.
Cyte pointed dramatically.
"She likes someone!"
"I do not!"
"She does!"
"I do not!"
Doctor Karly finally turned away because she was struggling not to laugh.
Meanwhile Eva stood near the doorway holding supplies.
She had arrived only moments ago.
And now she was silently regretting everything.
Especially because she already knew exactly who Lexy liked.
"Who is it?" Renasu asked.
"No one."
"Tell us."
"No."
"Tell us."
"No."
Cyse suddenly snapped his fingers.
"The boy."
Lexy froze.
Everyone noticed.
The room became silent.
"...What boy?" Lexy asked weakly.
Cyte pointed dramatically.
"The injured one."
Renasu gasped.
"The angel boy!"
Cyse nodded vigorously.
"The angel boy!"
Lexy buried her face in her hands.
Doctor Karly lost the battle and started laughing.
Eva covered her eyes.
"Oh no..."
The boys immediately became excited.
"You actually like him!"
"What's his name?"
"Have you talked to him?"
"How old is he?"
"Does he know?"
"Can we meet him?"
Lexy looked ready to die from embarrassment.
Meanwhile Eva watched the scene unfold and sighed heavily.
Because somehow...
Somehow...
The problems surrounding Lucas, Bereshith, Levanah, Maria, and the strange miracles at the manor had now gained another complication.
Children.
And in Eva's experience—
Children were far more dangerous than adults when they decided to involve themselves in other people's lives.
Far.
Far more dangerous.
And unfortunately...
The four children were only getting started.
For nearly ten whole minutes, the three boys continued tormenting Lexy.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Which, according to Lexy, was far worse.
"Angel Boy."
"No."
"Future nurse of Angel Boy."
"No."
"Future wife of Angel Boy."
"NO!"
Cyte nearly fell onto the floor laughing.
Renasu didn't speak anymore but instead went silent and let the other two continue tease Lexy.
Even Doctor Karly had long since abandoned any attempt to stop them.
Meanwhile Lexy sat in front of her practice bandages with her face completely red.
"If all of you don't stop, I'll practice medicine by breaking your arms first and healing them later."
From that statement the boys laughed even harder, as they took it as a joke, while Lexy was ready to fight them.
Then—
"Pardon the intrusion."
A gentle voice entered the room.
Immediately.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The three boys straightened their backs.
Maria entered the medical ward gracefully.
Beside her walked Levanah.
The white silk dress she wore made her look completely different from the frightened runaway slave they had heard about.
Her dress was elegant but simple.
The sunlight entering through the windows reflected softly against the white fabric.
Behind them followed a maid carrying little Yareach in her arms.
The baby looked around curiously.
Maria spoke first.
"Is Eva here?"
"Yes, I am here, Young Lady."
Eva stepped forward immediately and bowed.
"It's great you're here," Maria said.
"Get ready. We're going outside. I want you to come with us."
"Yes, will do so, Young Lady."
Eva bowed again.
"Allow me to notify the coachman of your request."
Maria nodded.
"Thank you."
Eva excused herself and departed.
As soon as she left, Maria's attention shifted toward the children.
And somehow...
Without saying anything...
The entire room became disciplined.
The boys sat properly.
Lexy sat properly.
Even Karly looked more professional.
Maria noticed the training supplies.
The bandages.
The herbs.
The practice arm.
Curious, she walked closer.
"What are you doing, Lexy?"
Lexy immediately stood.
"I am learning how to treat people, Young Lady."
Maria looked genuinely pleased.
"That's interesting."
She smiled warmly and patted Lexy's head.
"I hope you learn well."
Lexy's face brightened instantly.
"Thank you, Young Lady."
While Maria continued observing Lexy's practice...
Levanah suddenly felt uncomfortable.
A strange sensation.
Like someone was staring at her.
She slowly turned her head.
And found Cyse staring.
Directly.
At her.
The moment their eyes met—
Cyse froze.
Levanah froze.
The room became awkward.
Very awkward.
"...Umm."
Levanah shifted nervously.
"Do you need something?"
Cyse immediately snapped back to reality.
"My apologies, Milady."
He lowered his head respectfully.
"I was simply captivated by your beauty and lost myself for a moment."
The room became silent.
Again.
Renasu stared.
Cyte stared.
Lexy stared.
Doctor Karly stared.
Maria slowly raised an eyebrow.
Meanwhile Levanah simply looked confused.
"...What?"
Cyse swallowed.
"If it is not much, may I know your name?"
Levanah didn't understand why everyone looked shocked.
"My name is Levanah."
Cyse raised his head.
A smile appeared on his face.
A genuine one.
"What a lovely name."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cyse. An apprentice studying to become a butler like my father."
"Oh."
Levanah nodded.
"Okay."
Cyse's smile twitched.
That wasn't the response he imagined.
At all.
Still—
He recovered surprisingly fast.
"Lady Maria."
Maria looked away from Lexy's bandages.
"Yes?"
"If it is not much to ask, would you allow me to accompany you during your outing?"
Maria blinked.
"And why?"
Cyse stood straighter.
"I wish to serve as Lady Levanah's guide and helper."
Maria looked toward Levanah.
Then back toward Cyse.
Then back toward Levanah again.
Levanah looked completely unaware of what was happening.
Maria sighed.
"Very well."
Cyse nearly exploded with happiness.
"But the carriage will be cramped."
His happiness died slightly.
"You'll sit beside the coachman."
His happiness immediately returned.
"That is more than acceptable."
Maria chuckled softly.
"Then you may come."
Cyse bowed deeply.
"Thank you for granting my request, Lady Maria."
Then he looked toward Levanah.
And smiled.
Again.
Levanah awkwardly smiled back.
Unfortunately for her—
Cyse interpreted that smile as the greatest achievement of his life.
Meanwhile Renasu leaned toward Cyte.
"He's gone."
Cyte nodded.
"Completely gone."
"He'll never recover."
"Never."
The two boys shook their heads in disappointment.
Cyse ignored them.
Instead he approached Levanah carefully.
"Lady Levanah."
"Yes?"
"Have you ever visited a city before?"
Levanah thought about it.
"No."
Cyse blinked.
"Never?"
She shook her head.
"I've only seen villages."
"Really?"
"Really."
Cyse suddenly became excited.
"Then you haven't seen the marketplace."
"No."
"The fountain square?"
"No."
"The baker district?"
"No."
"The clock tower?"
Levanah paused.
"What's a clock tower?"
Cyse looked horrified.
"You've never seen a clock tower?"
Levanah shook her head again.
Cyse immediately turned toward Maria.
"Lady Maria."
Maria already knew what was coming.
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
Levanah looked between them.
"What is a clock tower?"
Cyse immediately forgot Maria existed.
"It's amazing."
"It tells time."
"People gather around it."
"Sometimes musicians play there."
"Sometimes merchants sell sweets."
Levanah listened quietly.
Then asked,
"What's a sweet?"
Cyse froze.
The entire room froze.
Even Maria looked surprised.
"You've never eaten sweets?"
Levanah shook her head.
"No."
Cyse looked as though his soul had left his body.
"Lady Maria."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"We have to buy her sweets."
Maria pinched the bridge of her nose.
Meanwhile Levanah looked completely confused.
"What is happening?"
Nobody answered.
Because nobody knew.
Cyse was already planning an entire city tour.
Levanah didn't even understand why.
At that moment—
The door opened.
Eva returned.
Her professional composure had fully returned.
Not a trace remained of the emotions she had shown earlier.
She bowed gracefully.
"The carriage is ready, Young Lady."
Maria smiled.
"Perfect."
Then she looked toward Levanah.
"Shall we go?"
Levanah nodded.
"Okay."
Cyse immediately straightened his posture.
Ready.
Prepared.
Determined.
As though he had just received a sacred mission from the heavens themselves.
Renasu looked at Cyte.
Cyte looked at Renasu.
Then both boys sighed.
At exactly the same time.
"He's hopeless."
"Completely hopeless."
And neither of them noticed that Lexy had become equally distracted—
Not by Levanah.
Not by Cyse.
But by thoughts of a certain bruised boy currently training somewhere else within the manor grounds.
Thus after that Maria, Levanah, Eva, Cyse, and the maid carrying little Yareach soon left the Medical Ward together.
The corridors of the manor were quiet as they made their way toward the main entrance.
The servants they passed respectfully bowed.
"Young Lady."
"Lady Maria."
Maria acknowledged them with a graceful nod.
Levanah, still unfamiliar with such treatment, awkwardly nodded back whenever someone greeted her.
Cyse noticed.
"You don't need to bow back to every servant, Lady Levanah."
Levanah tilted her head.
"Why not?"
"Because they're greeting you."
"Oh."
She thought for a moment.
"That sounds rude."
Cyse opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
He honestly had no answer for that.
Maria quietly smiled while Eva hid a laugh behind her hand.
Eventually they arrived outside.
A large carriage waited at the front of the manor.
Two healthy horses stood harnessed before it.
The coachman immediately straightened upon seeing Maria.
"Milady, where are we headed?"
Maria replied calmly.
"Let's go to the usual places."
The coachman bowed.
"Understood."
Cyse quickly climbed onto the driver's seat beside the coachman.
Trying his best to appear mature and dependable.
Meanwhile Maria entered the carriage first.
Levanah followed after her.
Eva entered next.
Finally, the maid carrying little Yareach carefully stepped inside and sat down.
Yareach remained peacefully asleep in her arms.
Once everyone was settled.
Eva reached toward the small rear window.
Tap.
Tap.
The signal.
The coachman immediately flicked the reins.
The horses began moving.
The carriage slowly rolled away from the manor grounds.
As the gates opened before them.
Their outing began.
Meanwhile...
Back inside the Medical Ward.
The atmosphere had become much quieter.
Lexy continued practicing.
Carefully wrapping bandages around a wooden training arm.
Renasu sat nearby.
Watching.
Thinking.
For once.
Not teasing.
Not laughing.
Not acting childish.
Just watching.
Eventually he spoke.
"Lexy."
The girl didn't look up.
"What?"
Renasu swallowed.
Then asked.
"There's something I'd like to ask."
Lexy continued working.
"Then ask."
Renasu hesitated.
His hands clenched.
Then finally—
"That Angel Boy..."
The room became silent.
"...Do you like him?"
Lexy paused for only a moment.
Then continued wrapping the bandage.
Her expression remained calm.
Collected.
Almost emotionless.
"It's none of your business, Renasu, whether I like him or not."
Renasu immediately twitched.
A vein almost appeared on his forehead.
"It does!"
He suddenly slammed both hands onto the desk.
The loud sound startled everyone except Lexy.
"I loved you first!"
Silence.
Lexy didn't respond.
She simply continued practicing.
The room somehow felt colder.
Not because she was angry.
Not because she was ignoring him.
But because she genuinely didn't know how to answer.
Seeing no response.
Renasu's frustration only grew.
"Hey!"
He slammed the desk again.
Harder this time.
"Don't you ignore me!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Karly's voice thundered throughout the room.
Both boys immediately froze.
The doctor stood with her arms crossed.
Her expression stern.
"You two."
She pointed toward the door.
"Out. Now."
Renasu immediately looked away.
Even he knew when not to argue.
Meanwhile Cyte awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
Neither boy dared challenge Karly.
With no other choice.
Renasu turned around.
Frustrated.
Angry.
Embarrassed.
And began walking toward the door.
Cyte followed behind him.
Before leaving, however, Cyte stopped.
He turned toward Karly.
Then politely lowered his head.
"I am sorry, Aunty Karly."
His voice was sincere.
"Please forgive us for disturbing you all."
Karly's expression softened slightly.
"Just go."
Cyte nodded.
"Yes, Aunty."
Then he quietly closed the door behind him.
Click.
The room became silent once more.
And the moment it did—
Lexy's composure finally broke.
Tears immediately formed in her eyes.
"Why is this happening?!"
Her voice trembled.
"I don't hate them..."
The bandage slipped from her hands.
Her tears began falling.
"But I can't return those feelings to them!"
She lowered her head.
Trying to hide her face.
"They're my friends..."
Karly's expression softened completely.
The doctor approached.
Gently placed a hand upon Lexy's head.
Then pulled the crying girl into a warm embrace.
"It's alright."
Lexy buried her face against her shoulder.
Confused.
Guilty.
Heartbroken.
"I don't want to lose them."
"You won't."
Karly gently stroked her hair.
"They're hurt right now."
Lexy quietly cried.
"But they're still your friends."
The girl clenched Karly's clothes.
Holding on as though afraid of being left alone.
And for a little while—
The doctor simply remained there.
Holding her.
Allowing the child to cry.
Because sometimes...
There were wounds that no bandage could heal.