Several dozens of children of various ages could be found playing or occupied with an activity here and there in the middle of the large green garden of the Orchidea orphanage.
Two boys, roughly 5 and 7 years old, each holding onto a pot of jam on one side and a baguette on the other, along with a bag containing countless other threats.
"Give it back, it was my share," cried the younger one, begging for the other half of a baguette that had been taken away by the older boy.
"No. You’re smaller than me. Half is enough for you. "
"Give it back!" The boy cried even louder.
"What is happening here?" A gentle and motherly voice asked.
"It’s him, Sister. He took my part."
"You’re lying."
"No, I’m not. You said, since I was smaller than him, I deserved only half."
"You’re lying."
"I see,..," she simply said, before remarking to the older boy, "but it is not his part you’re holding onto."
"It’s... it is," the older boy mumbled.
"If it is, then I think the right thing to do is to give him back what was meant to be his, right, Elam?"
"Yes, Sister. Here!" He said, giving back the other missing half of the boy's bagette.
He was about to leave when he was called out by the Sister.
"Don’t you forget something else?"
Though hesitantly, the boy added, "I’m sorry for having taken what was yours."
"It's nothing," the other boy said in response to the sister's suggestive look.
"It’s all clear now. You’re good boys now, and good now when to say sorry and forgive, for that’s what good children do. " The sister applauded the boys, "From now on, continue being good boys. Make this sister proud even if she isn’t here. Can you two promise me that?"
The two boys looked at each other and then, both promised, "Yes, we will, Sister."
Patting the two boys on the head, the sister left the two boys on their own as she wandered through the large garden,
The children, at the sight of the sister, were all smiling, testimoning the sister's popularity amidst the children.
Noticing a little girl sitting on her own on a bench, the sister approached her, and asked, "Little Miss, can I sit next to you?"
The girl nodded, so the sister sat.
Observing the other children in the garden, one could see some playing around, while most were eating the threats their sister had brought over for them today, while the little girl was just sitting there, all on her own, on top of the bench.
"What is it, Esme? Why aren’t you playing with your other comrades?" The sister asked
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The little girl shook her head.
"You don’t want to?"
She nodded.
Looking at what sat between them, the sister asked, "Hum, what about my gifts? You don’t like them? You didn’t seem to have touched them at all...
The little girl immediately vigorously shook her head and spoke through hand signs, for she could not speak.
"I see... you like them. Then what is it? Is there anything that makes you feel down? You can tell Sister you know. "
The little girl looked at the sister for a moment, and explained through her own, unspoken words, what was going on.
"Oh, darling,..." I’m leaving... But don’t worry, the other sisters will be there for you. "
"..."
"You will miss me?"
"…"
She may not speak, but her feelings definitely came across to the sister.
The sister stood up and went to crouch in front of the little girl, "Me too, I will miss you. But I must leave. It’s just like that. " Wiping the single tear on the little girl's face
"I will leave tonight, which is why today, I only want to see you all with a happy little smile. Can you do that for me? Can you give me a smile?"
Despite the tears, the little girl did her best and mustered a smile.
"Perfect, this is how I like to see you the most."
Just as she finished consoling the little girl, The sister was swarmed and called by other children "Sister come play with us," they all called jovially and innocuously.
***
Late at night, after having put all the children of the orphanage to bed, the sister closed behind her the door of her office, and waiting for her outside was the sister that was her assistant, and soon to be the one to take her place.
"The keys are your sister Ursula. Take good care of the children," she said, while handing the woman the key to her office.
"Prioress Sarah, I’ve been serving under you for seven years now, do you really have to leave?"
"I am Prioress no longer, sister Sarah, you are."
"But the children? They really like you."
"And so do they, you."
"I... can’t you stay just a little bit longer?"
Reaching onto Sister Ursulla's shoulder,Sister Sarah said, "You know that it's absolute. By order of the Archbishop in charge of the authority of Sora, daughter of the mountains, all prioresses are to return to the church where they belong. I have already remained here longer than what has been agreed upon. I must go. "
Sister Ursualah sighed, knowing that insisting upon it was useless, finally surrendered, "I understand.", finally accepting the keys.
"I bid you good luck, Sister."
"You too, Sister."
It has been seven years since, under the rank of Prioress of the Orchidea orphanage, the sister that went under the name Sarah, served.
Just like the other Prioress of the other orphanages of the duchy, her duty was to lead the orphanage and take care of the children on behalf of the Archbishop whom she was under the authority of.
That was Sarah’s duty, but today it came to an end, for in reaction to the current winds flowing across the continent, she was to return to the one that sent her in the first place.
Upon descending the stairs leading to the entrance room, she was awaited by other sisters who, along with the other people working for the orphanages, were from the base of the to the entrance lined up to give the Prioress their goodbye. No words were needed. They simply bowed as she passed through.
Upon reaching the door, Sister Sarah humbly said, "Thank you everyone and take care of yourself," before heading to her carriage.
A carriage which she was certain was hers, yet when she arrived at its door, she was greeted from within by a hand belonging to an unfamiliar face. The hand belonged to a woman, no-- it would be right to call her more a young woman than a woman.
Blue eyes, golden and blue-sky hair
The young woman was someone she had never seen before but someone she instantly recognized upon setting her eyes on her.
"Please get in, Prioress Sarah," the girl said.
Having guessed the person's identity, Sister Sarah accepted the offer and got into the carriage, in which another person was visibly waiting for her.
This time, the face she saw inside waiting for her was one she had already seen before in the past. And though different from what she remembered, she immediately recognized who it belonged to.
"Good evening. Long time no see, Prioress Sarah, or perhaps I should call you Archbishop in Charge of Sora's Authority, Daughter of the Mountain, Karen Caelus.
“Faceless One.”