Chapter I - Birth

“Nelya, be careful. The sun is starting to be hot outside.”

Mom caressed my body before I could go play outside. Satomi stood by the door, waiting for me to head outside with a smile.

“Okay mommy! Don’t worry, I will play by the tree, so the shadow will protect me, okay?”

Mom giggled, patting my head. “Sure, sure.” She replied, looking at Satomi. “Thank you.”

“It’s not a problem, Miss Rondart. I do this with much pleasure.”

I was a very childish and reckless girl – a maid always had to accompany me when I played outside, because I would venture out of the gates and get lost many times. Stupidity and braveness don’t go well together.

But that gave me even one more reason to play outside instead of getting bored in my room. The maids all played with me cheerfully, not minding my childish games. They all loved me very much.

Ferya, my favorite maid, was also a precious friend to me. She never scolded me for anything, she always accompanied me, she never said no to my ideas. She was awfully quiet though...so it was very hard for me to have conversations.

That time, though, it was Satomi’s turn. She was way older, and she was basically my second mom.

She grabbed my hand as I walked through the flowerbeds, looking at the beautiful outdoors of my home. It was spring, April. Everything was simply colorful and scented.

Satomi giggled as I sniffed a flower happily, carrying on thereafter.

We reached my favorite place. The tallest tree that was inside the fences of my home. It was in the backyard, placed perfectly at the edge of the mansion’s land. I sat under it, the sun wasn’t hitting my young body anymore. Satomi stood there beside me, her back straight.

“Sit down, Satomi!” I patted beside me. “Don’t be so serious!”

“As you wish, miss Nelya.” She knelt on the green, fresh grass, taking a deep breath. “It truly is a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Yes! I just want to relax and sleep all day!” I exclaimed.

I was ten at the time. School wasn’t hard. Nothing was hard. All I did was play, play and play…occasionally sleeping and maybe doing what I had to do for school.

Satomi and mom would always say that I was blessed – I had a beautiful house, a big family, many servants that took care of me and a bright future ahead.

But I honestly didn’t care about any of that. All I thought about was having fun, my mind was in constant seek of elation.

A normal thing for a young, little girl, right?

And so I played and relaxed with Satomi, as she patiently followed every instruction I gave her during the games and trying to make me enjoy her company.

Suddenly, we heard some noises. Satomi immediately stood up, alerted. I hid behind her legs, peeking towards the source of the sound.

A little girl, just like me. She curiously looked at us with an unsure expression, her small hands grabbing the bars of the fence. She had white hair...and a beautiful pair of red eyes.

“May I ask who you are?” Satomi asked her, holding my little shoulder with her protective hand.

“She’s a little girl like me! Hey! Hello!” Excitement got in the way, and I sprinted towards her to look at her more closely. However, Satomi grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“What is your purpose here?” She asked again, pulling me back. I groaned, whining in disappointment.

“She’s just a girl, Satomi! Let me go!” I told her. “Come on!”

Alas, I didn’t even had the chance to finish my sentence that Satomi widened her eyes, looking at behind me. I turned around. She wasn’t there anymore. She disappeared among the trees, among the nature.

“We should go back inside.” She muttered. “Come on, Nelya. Be a good girl.”

“But I wanna play more!”

I couldn't even start complaining that she lifted me up and walked back to the mansion. I didn’t know why she was acting like that. Maybe she didn't like other little girls...or something like that. That was my simple thought.

Well, it was way more than that – apparently, She was the only one who could feel that dreadful sensation every single other person didn't feel.

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Evening of that same day. I was eating with my family, while mom and dad talked with Satomi at the end of the dining hall, to the window...which faced towards the backyard.

My ear were young and sharp. I could hear them despite their whispering.

“I don’t know. She might just be a homeless child.” Dad sighed.

“What if she’s lost? Maybe she’s surviving out there in the woods.” Mom replied.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“I don’t know. That girl didn’t look right. I think she was a...” Satomi whispered even more...I couldn’t her the last words.

“Hey, don’t say with such scary stories.” Mom grabbed Satomi’s arm, peeking at me. I adverted my gaze, trying to pretend I wasn’t listening.

“Well, if she appears again, just seize her and ask her what she’s up to.” Dad shrugged.

“What the heck is going on?” Annaliese looked at them.

“Language.” Rosie nudged her.

“Come on, heck is not a bad word.” Gale chuckled. “And Nelya isn’t a little girl anymore, is she?”

“No! I’m big!”

Everyone laughed at my reply, Rosie caressed my head. “Yes. You’re slowly becoming a young woman, just like us.”

“Yes!”

“Anyway, my question holds!” Annaliese said. “What are they talking about?”

“I heard there was a girl with white hair against the fence.” William cleared his throat.

“Oh? Another white-haired person like you?” Rosie asked, smiling at him.

“Yes, but her eyes were also red.” He nodded. “A very foreign girl. Probably from overseas.”

“William doesn’t have red eyes.” I said. “Maybe that girl is from somewhere even more far?”

“Could be. I haven’t traveled much besides going through battlefields.” He shrugged.

“Maybe she’s from a remote island or something like that.” Vance deduced. “In any case, I’d love to paint her. From the rumors, she sounds very beautiful.”

“Always onto art, aren't you?” Annaliese mocked him.

“Yes. Art is the future.” He solemnly stated, crossing his arms.

We all giggled as our parents sat at the table once more.

“Mom? Dad? So? Who is that girl?”

“We believe that she’s a lost child.” Mom replied. “If we ever see her again, we’ll help her find her way home.”

“Really?” I asked them. “I want to help her too! She looked nice.”

Satomi walked out of the hall, sighing.

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A few days passed. I was sitting at my desk, trying to do what my parents asked me to do...homework. But I didn’t want to do homework. I just wanted to play and have fun.

But everyone kept telling me I was going to regret not having discipline.

So...I stared down at my paper. I had to write something about my family and I couldn’t make mistakes. I was good at talking English but my grammar wasn’t good.

I sighed again, dropping the pen on the table and standing up. I walked to the window and looked outside. It was late in the evening, after dinner. Everyone was slowly going to bed...and I still had to do my homework.

My parents never scolded me, but I knew that I wasn’t doing good. I knew I wasn’t being as good as my other siblings. I felt guilt.

Suddenly, my eyes squeezed. I was seeing something shine under the moonlight.

It was her. The white-haired girl!

I immediately ran down all the stairs, opening my home’s door wide before the maids could lock it.

She was standing behind the fence, like the other day. She gripped the bars, staring at me curiously.

“Hi! I’m Nelya!” I waved at her happily.

“Nelya?” She tilted her head. “You have a cute name.” She added, smiling softly.

“Hehe, thanks!” I smiled at her, feeling rather elated. “What’s yours? I bet it’s even more beautiful!”

She giggled, covering her mouth. My heart skipped a beat – she looked so, so cute.

“I am Lillya.”

Her voice was soothing and soft. I didn’t even notice at the time...how much her whole being was already grasping me with its claws.

“Lillya! Like a Lily? It’s beautiful!” I smiled at her again. “How are you, Lillya? Mom and Dad say that you’re a lost child...is it true? They said they want to help you!”

“My, really?” Her big, red eyes widened. “That would be very, very wonderful. Thank you...Nelya. However...my parents are dead. I’m all alone.”

I frowned sadly. “Oh...I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s been a long, long time.” She sighed, looking up at the dark sky. “Can you come closer?”

I nodded. Stepping forward. Lillya stretched her hand through the bars, opening it wide.

My hand move by itself, reaching hers. She entwined our fingers, smiling sweetly.

Her hand was cold. Sheer cold, fighting against the warmth of my hand. I wasn’t a cold night...so I was very surprised.

“Nelya.”

“Yes…?”

DO YOU WANT TO BE MY FRIEND?

My heart beat faster. I didn’t know why. I profusely nodded, tightening my grip on her hand. “Yes! Let’s be friends! Finally someone my age!”

She giggled, stretching her other hand through the bars. She grabbed my arm, pulling me even closer…

“What are you doing, miss Nelya!?”

Suddenly, I felt a strong pull from behind me. Satomi hugged me tightly, dragging me away from the fence. Lillya immediately let my hand go, walking backwards as well. Satomi checked my arm, rolling up my nightgown’s sleeve, breathing out of relief after realizing Lillya didn’t harm me. Her gaze fell upon Lillya, which was looking at us with a curious, wary expression.

“State your purpose.” She glared at her.

“Is Nelya that fragile…?” She asked, bringing her hands on her chest. A weird question.

“I’m going to call the police if you don’t answer my question!” She shouted.

“I-I’m sorry! I’m...*sob*…!”

Tears. Out of nowhere. From a smile to tears in mere seconds.

She ran away in the woods, her sobs fading away with her pristine figure.

“Satomi!” I pushed her away, pouting. “Why are you mean to her?! She’s my friend!”

“You should go to bed. Now.” She pointed towards the mansion, standing back up.

“Fine! You’re not my friend anymore! Bleeh!”

I stuck out my tongue at her and then walked away, stomping loudly.

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The next day, Satomi came to pick me up from school with everyone else. The carriage moved unsteadily along the path, as my playtime came closer and closer. Every single time, going back to home from school was a real treat.

“Wait, is that…?” Suddenly, Vance pointed out of the carriage, leaning out of the small window of his side. I looked out as well…

“Lillya!”

She was standing in front of our closed gates, looking at the carriage which stopped in front of her.

I hopped off and ran to her as fast as I could, hugging her. She gasped, hugging me back and chuckling softly. I held her arms, looking up and down.

Under the daylight, she looked even more beautiful. Her only piece of cloth, a dirty white robe, didn’t make her any less wonderful to look at. Her eyes wandered over me as well, making me want to look pretty to her as well.

Satomi approached her, pulling me away gently.

“Hello.” Lillya gracefully bowed. “I am still very sorry for yesterday night.”

“Don’t worry.” Satomi blushed a little, bowing back. “I shouldn’t have been so rude to you either.”

“I need help.” Lillya said, looking at all my siblings, then at me. “I’m seeking another family. I...I need a new home.”