The sounds of the chimes and bells rang throughout the orphanage, indicating that it was time to wake up. One by one, the children wake up and get ready for the day.

“It's time to wake up, brother”

My brother, at the time, was still sleeping soundly. He looked tired and worn up.

It seems like he stayed up late reading that boring book again…

He always liked reading books but lately, he has been obsessed with that book in particular. The book that he was reading was called “The History of Humanity”. As the name states, it contains all of the general knowledge about the history of humanity. It would usually be teachers or instructors who would be reading that. That book is also a primary source of knowledge for us orphans.

It seems like Brother isn't waking up anytime soon…

Later, Teacher Lin came by and woke him up. He was mumbling for some time and complaining about waking up in the morning. Teacher Lin then got furious with him for staying up late reading a book when it was already lights out.

After a few minutes of scolding my brother, Teacher Lin looked at us both and beamed us with a kind smile.

“Happy Birthday you two! It's hard to believe both of you are already 8 years old. I'm so proud of both of you”

Both of us were pleasantly surprised by the sudden congratulation. I smile at Teacher Lin, grinning from ear to ear.

“Teacher Lin remembered our birthday!”

I said that to my brother, turning my head towards him. He still looked shocked and confused. It was obvious that he had forgotten about our birthday. Before I had the opportunity to make fun of my brother, Teacher Lin interrupted.

“Now, go take a bath and dress up well. We're gonna celebrate your birthday today. As for the presents, I'll keep it a secret for now~”

Teacher Lin teased both of us. While I was excited about the present, my brother, on the other hand, looked exhausted as a result of him staying up all night.

“I'll go take a bath first. Brother can take a bath after me. Teacher Lin, can I wear the dress that you gave me?”

A few weeks prior to this, she gave me a hand-sewn dress and a suit for my brother. The dress wasn't extravagant or fancy but it was beautiful and full of love. I love that dress. Ever since she gave the dress to me, I've already planned on wearing the dress on my birthday.

“Of course you can, Luna. It would make me very happy if you do so”

“Alright! I'll go take a bath right now!”

I quickly ran towards the bathroom stall. The bathroom was divided into two. The girls' area and the boys' area. After turning right into the girl's bathroom, I open the pipe water and prepare a wooden bucket to hold the water.

Magic charms were used to make the water warm. Although the charms that were used were low-tier magic charms, it's still expensive and it was a miracle for an orphanage like ours to have this.

After filling up the wooden bucket with warm water, I took off my clothes to prepare myself before I took a bath. I took a scoop of the water and showered myself with it.

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The moment the water touched the skin on my back, a sharp, painful sensation was produced. It was much more painful than anything I'd felt before. It was as if I had a bleeding scar on my back. I scream but quickly shut my mouth up, afraid of disturbing the people around the bathroom.

It hurts. I'm scared.

I quickly dry and cover myself with a towel. Suddenly, I heard footsteps running in my direction.

It seems like someone heard me scream. What should I do?

The door in front of me opened and a familiar figure appeared. It was my brother.

A wave of relief came surging towards me. I glanced at his face for a while and he looked concerned about me. Unable to hide my fear, I asked him for help.

“Brother, I was just getting ready but when I showered myself with that warm water in the bucket, my back hurt.”

I explained the sequence of events that had unfolded. I couldn't control my voice and accidentally stuttered in shock when I tried to explain it in more detail.

“Don't worry, Luna. Hey, why don't you turn your back for a second?”

I turned my back towards him. The bathroom was filled with silence. An eerie silence with no sounds whatsoever.

“Brother, am I gonna be oka-”

Before I could finish, my brother interrupted me.

“Luna,” He said in a serious tone.

“Listen carefully about what I'm gonna say”

He had never spoken so seriously before. I didn't dare to face him. I was scared.

“Do you remember what I said about the mark?”

“Yes”

I recalled everything he said to me. The fact that the humans to have that mark were personally chosen by the Kings themselves and how they are scorned by society.

“You have it, Luna”

“What?”

“The Mark of Sins. You have it”

The Mark of Sins. The official name for the mark that would turn a free, living, and loved by society humans into nothing more than a trapped bird and disgusting bird. It also has another name. ‘The Sins Last Blessing’

“I have it? You mean I’m gonna be one of the kings' assistants?”

“It's more than that, Luna!”

He raised his voice at me. It was the first time he was truly mad at me. Perhaps he was also as scared and confused as I was.

“Listen, you must not let anyone know you have this, alright? If they know then….”

Once again silence filled up the room. Even if I wasn't facing him, I knew he was scared of what would happen to me if I told someone about this.

“I promise I won't tell anyone”

After reassuring my brother, he left the girls' area of the bathroom and went into the boys' area.

…….

It was already nighttime. I wasn't able to wear the dress Teacher Lin made for me because it would reveal the mark. Everything from that point forward became blank. I don't remember any event that occurred after I talked to Teacher Lin shortly after getting out of the bathroom.

I didn't even say anything to Brother today…

I lay in my bed trying to sleep but my eyes landed on my brother's bed. Usually, he would be reading a book but he didn't. It seems as if he is writing something in his book.

I can't sleep. I’m too worried to go to sleep. I wanna take a walk to clear my head. Today was supposed to be the best day of my life. I want to cry…

I hop off my bed slowly, making sure no one notices me. I quickly make my way into a small garden the orphanage has. I stand there in a daze, trying to calm myself down.

Why am I breaking the rule now? What has gotten into me? I should head back in

I turned around and was startled by the sudden appearance of a person in front of me.

“Teacher Lin!”

“Why are you out right now? You are supposed to have been asleep a while ago”

I remain silent. I felt guilty for breaking the rule but I have to do it. Everything was happening so fast. Everything was a mess.

“What's wrong, Luna? You look worn out and worried about something all day”

As expected of Teacher Lin. She always looks out for me. She is kind and elegant. She has a way with her words which puts people at ease.

I trust her. I trust her so much like she is my mother. So I’m allowed to tell her right? I can trust her, right? She’ll help me, right? She always helps me so…

Can I trust her, Brother?

‘Teacher Lin, I-”

My voice is stuttering and shaking. I’m scared. But at least I can trust her.

“I have the Mark of Sins”