Slowly, I open the door to the dining hall.

Gazing inside, there’s a Grandfather-clock tucked away in the corner of the room to my right.

Glancing at the time, I realize that I’m nearly an hour and a half late.

Turning my attention forwards I see several children seated among a lengthy wooden dining table.

The boys are all seated next to each other on the leftmost side, while the girls are seated together on the rightmost side...

With Grunhilda seated properly at the far head of the table.

Soon I’m greeted with numerous glances, all the participants of the meal momentarily look at me.

Ugh…

I'm feeling incredibly bashful...

Despite that I'm the person who was supposed to serve out the meal after preparing everything for tonight, I force myself past these feelings.

Already aware that I've made a huge mistake at this point, I might as well just act naturally.

“G-Good evening everyon–”

“Sit down, Mai!”

“…!”

Grunhilda’s cold voice responds before I can finish.

Feeling startled, I hastily make my way to the right side of the table.

My head hangs low so as to not attract any more unwanted attention.

Picking a seat at random, I seat myself between two of the girls.

To my left, I can see Rebekah.

Done in pigtails, her hair is a nice shade of brown that compliments her cute one-piece auburn colored dress.

Seemingly happy to see me like a small puppy, she smiles at me.

I can’t help but smile back.

“Hah…!”

"...?"

Suddenly, someone lets out a derisive sound of sorts.

I feel compelled to turn towards the origin of that noise.

Although It’s most likely just Jessabelle.

Maybe I should have paid more attention to what seat I ended up picking...

However, to my right I see that It wasn’t Jessabelle who made that noise.

This is someone completely unfamiliar...

Someone new.

“Eh…?”

For some reason, I can't help but unconsciously stare at her.

She has cute, short blonde-hair and very piercing green eyes that match her green dress.

Her elbow firmly planted on the table, hand on cheek, she looks back at me.

“Hmph..."

Again, letting out a scoff for some reason.

"What...? Is it normal for people in this village to just stare at others?”

“If there’s something you want, just say so.”

“U-Um…”

So as to not cause a misunderstanding, I try my best to explain myself.

“N-No, I don’t exactly need anything, but...”

I’m only staring at her because I’m somewhat spaced out emotionally from today.

Not to mention I’m really, really bad at socializing with new people…

“Haaaaah…?!”

Seems like she didn't like what I said for some reason.

She glares at me, looking like she’s ready to start a fight with me or something.

Slowly, I begin to panic.

My eyes start to dart from side to side, as sweat accumulates atop my forehead.

No book out there could've prepared me for this...

“Pffft…”

Then… she starts laughing.

“Hahaha!”

Wait, why is she laughing all of a sudden…?

“You’re really weird, you know that?”

“All of the other kids have been kinda' normal with me."

"You’re the only one who’s acting so funny..."

"Plus, you were the only one who was late for dinner!”

She then gives me a coy smile and looks expectantly at me.

“What’s your name?”

"M...M..."

“M-Mai…”

“Mai, huh? That’s a really unusual name…”

As she said this, I couldn't help but wonder what she meant.

“What...?”

"I’ve just never heard a name like that before is all!”

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way or anything, Mai!"

“Anyway, my name is–”

Suddenly, a loud slam at the dining table reverberates throughout.

Dishes, glasses and fine kitchenware all fly chaotically about, spreading themselves unkempt across the table.

"!!!!"

Audible gasps could be heard from most of the children present at the table.

We all see Grunhilda suddenly stand after having hit the table firmly with her hand.

Her attention is fixed primarily on me and the blonde-haired girl.

Seemingly, I feel I have the answer as to why she’s so upset,

My best guess is that she really didn’t appreciate how loud we had been talking while having supper.

Feeling her domineering gaze as it pierces through me, I try my best to pacify her.

“S-Sorry for being so loud…"

"We’ll make sure to keep our voices down, Grunhilda!”

"..."

“Foolish child..."

"Do you really think that’s why I’m upset?”

“Huh…?”

Grunhilda approaches me, bowl of stew in hand.

Placing it before me, she guides my attention to the contents of the bowl in particular.

“You've made this, correct?”

“Y-Yes ma’am…! I did…!"

"I-Is there something wrong with the taste or anything?”

“Hmph... It tasted perfectly fine."

"In fact, I’d say you did a fine job in preparing tonight’s supper.”

“R-Really...?!”

Grunhilda hardly ever compliments me anymore these days, I couldn’t help but smile gleefully

“However...!"

"Did you really think I wouldn’t notice that you were missing something?”

"U-Umm…"

“Where is the meat that’s supposed to be a part of the recipe, hmm?”

“ T-That's…”

My hands start to tremble, as sweat uncomfortably covers my entire back.

Terror starts to fester from within.

My composure starts to crumble away as I struggle with a way out of this predicament.

Trapped and lost as to how I should answer her, all I can do is simply hang my head down defeatedly.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Still... I have to at least tell her something.

“A-About that… you see…"

"W-When I went to the butcher outside of town I talked with him and bought the meat from him then some soldiers came from the capital when I was walking back and one of the men took the meat from me claiming it was a way to 'pay back' their efforts for fighting in the war and he was bigger and stronger than me so I didn’t have a choice and he stole the meat from me and I couldn’t afford any more since there were the other ingredients to buy–!”

Grunhilda, having heard enough of my manic explanation holds up a palm to me, causing my thoughts to halt immediately.

“That’s quite enough!”

“Tell me child, how do I know you just didn’t pocket the money and hide it away with the intention to merely buy some silly baubles with it later?”

"You could be simply fabricating such a convenient story in order to trick me! So why should I believe you?"

Feeling incredibly offended, I strongly vocalize my frustrations.

“But there’s no way I’d do that!”

Continuing on with my explanation, my previously meek demeanor leaves me.

“I’m telling you the truth! Why would I steal money or lie for no reason?!"

"A man that came with soldiers from the capital stole my basket!"

"Then he–!”

“Now, now Mai…"

This time, I hear somebody else cut me off.

A voice that’s much younger calls out.

"It’s not good to tell lies, you know?”

Jessabelle raises her hand daintily, as if to ask for permission to continue.

“Ma’am, if I may speak?”

She smiles sweetly, as if to signify that she’s up to no good.

Peering over at Jessabelle, Grunhilda clears her throat before replying.

"Ahem..."

“Only if you have anything important to add to this conversation, Jessabelle.”

“Of course, Ma’am.”

Jessabelle then gets up off of her seat at the table.

She starts to walk slowly around to where I'm seated as she begins her side of the story.

“So you see..."

"I saw Mai earlier in the day as she was outside of the village outskirts when I had just gotten back from exploring around the river bank near the forest."

"She was indeed telling the truth about the soldiers and their caravan.”

I carefully examine her.

Jessabelle’s demeanor as she told her side of the story seemed sincere while giving her exposition.

“However…"

That suddenly changed when she cracked a mischievous smile.

"Mai had been looking at the coins in her satchel while she was on the road after the soldiers came into the village."

"During this time, her basket also had no meat or any ingredients whatsoever inside of it.

“Which could only give me the impression..."

Again, Jessabelle continues to circle near where I'm seated as she goes on.

"She had planned to keep whatever amount of money she could get away with keeping, with her plan to fabricate such a wild tale to trick you into thinking she was just an innocent victim.”

Jessabelle turns towards me, and snickers mockingly.

She holds a hand up to her mouth truly looking like a real spoiled princess.

“It was a good story, Mai!"

"Using the fact that the soldiers had come to see the Village Elder, then using such a convenient excuse to pocket away some loose change…”

“Not bad at all!"

"Hahahaha!”

Seeing her laugh, I can’t tell if she’s even trying to pretend that there’s any credibility left to her twisted side of the story.

All that's left is bitterness and unimpeded rage.

This girl always seems content on ruining my life.

Any vestige of happiness that I might have left to enjoy only seems like tattered leather to her before she snatches it away from me and scatters it to the wind.

----------------------------------------

Within moments, my bitterness manifests itself as raw emotion.

Tears stream down my face.

They feel so painful and stinging that I can’t help but cry out even harder as a result.

I never wanted to cause anyone trouble… I always wanted to hide my feelings.

It’s just… easier that way.

I…

I hate this!!!!

...

I wish I would disappear already…

Maybe that's what everybody wants…

That’d be less painful than living a life where everything I do doesn’t matter to anybody.

…

I'm always alone.

Nobody seems to understand anything about me at all.

None of them try to get to know the real me...

After all...

I’m just a convenience. An useful child for whenever someone needs me to fetch them something, or do an errand for them.

Mai’s always just the girl who’s there to please people, and to never talk back, or be some kind of doll!

I’m always just meant to stand there, look pretty and never talk back or express myself to anyone or anybody!

Why…

Why is life so painful…?

Jesabelle chuckles delightedly, as she gloats in her victory over me.

She’s gladly the type who’d kick somebody while they’re down anyway.

“Look! Mai’s crying now!"

Jessabelle gives off a dramatic shrug.

"I suppose her conscience got the better of her..."

"After all, I doubt an innocent person would cry under these circumstances unless they were guilty after all!”

I don’t care.

Whether I'm right or wrong, guilty or not.

I simply just don't care....

About anything.

…

Maybe I should just run away…?

Maybe…

I don’t need to be here any more.

This place that only brings me pain.

Then…

Where or what exactly should I do?

The world right now is in a vicious war.

People are dying every single day… I would never survive out there.

I’m just a child… I’m only Twelve years old…

So… what am I supposed to believe...?

That I’m fortunate...?

That I'm lucky...?!

That being unhappy with my life here... possibly paints me as ungrateful because of how unjustly and mistreated I feel?!

…

Covering my tear-soaked face with my hands, I do my best to hide myself away from everyone.

What…

What should I do...?

Please…

Anybody...

Creator…

Anyone...

Tell me!

What should I do?!

Do I… run away?

Or maybe...

Should I just... end it all?

Should I keep living in this life of pain and nothingness?

If this is what life is meant to be…

I don’t want it anymore.

----------------------------------------

My hand feels warm.

“Sniff…"

"W-Who…?”

Through tear-soaked eyes, there's a small fair-colored hand gently holding mine.

Looking back at me are beautiful green eyes.

The girl with flaxen blonde-hair calls out towards Jessabelle.

“Hey, you.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Let’s be real here..."

"You didn’t actually tell the truth about what happened with Mai now, did you?”

“…What?"

"Are you daring to call me a liar?"

"You merely just arrived here hours prior! What could you possibly kno–!”

“Well that's simple..."

"I’ve actually been here since this morning.

"I snuck out from a nearby place I was staying at before those oafs from the capital escorted me straight to the Orphanage.”

“Y'know... just wanted a good look at the place I would be living at from now on, maybe see the other kids I’d be hanging around..."

"Probably just to see how it stacks up with where I grew up and all that.”

Glancing at Jessabelle, the girl then smirks at her.

“Have to say…"

"You've really brought the standard of this whole place down.”

“Wha...?!"

Jessabelle stands fully up out of her seat as she slams down her kitchenware, causing even more of a mess than before.

"YOU FILTHY COMMONER TRASH!!!!” Jessabelle screams out.

Annoyed at the conduct on display, Grunhilda screeches.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!!!!”

“Calm down this instant or you will be severely punished, Jessabelle!”

Grunhilda’s gaze pierces through Jessabelle.

Coldly and absolutely.

Jessabelle defeatedly looks down at her dinner plate, the contents now scattered across the table.

She seats herself back down, clutching a fork tightly.

"You... You societal parasite...!"

"Kggggh!"

She starts to vigorously suck in air through her teeth in an obviously angry way.

Perhaps she's embarrassed at having been challenged by some unknown person that she deems as “lower-class”.

“Anyway…”

The blonde-haired girl remains unfazed, continuing on.

"Mai was serious when she talked about the soldier stealing what she bought from the butcher guy I saw earlier.”

Unable to contain her emotions, Jessabelle interjects, eager to vocalize her rebuttal against the blond-haired girl’s testimony.

“Even so...!"

"What proof would you possibly have to clear suspicions against her, exactly?”

“That's simple."

"You still got that coin pouch on you?”

Having been addressed so suddenly within their argument, I shakily hand over the coin satchel to the girl.

“O-Oh! Y-Yeah… Right here…”

I suppose it’s a good thing that I didn’t take it off when I was changing.

Then, the blonde-girl begins to address Grunhilda.

“So how much money did you give Mai for her shopping exactly?”

“About Ten Grandium-copper pieces.”

----------------------------------------

After more questions and rebuttals had been exchanged between Grunhilda, Jesaabelle and the unknown girl, she then explains how she had witnessed my exchange with the butcher and admits to tailing me throughout the day.

She also describes having seen Jessabelle hiding and tailing me nearby throughout the day as well, further explaining that after leaving the Village Elder’s home for snacks, how I headed straight back to the Orphanage.

“So not only did she have exactly the correct amount of money to get everything she needed on that list..."

"As you can see, the coin satchel is completely empty.”

“You can tell that every other ingredient is inside of the stew she made, right?”

Grunhilda nods affirmingly, then giving her verdict regarding the situation.

“Yes, I suppose that’s true."

"For whatever reason, the quality of the ingredients she purchased seemed rather low compared to before..."

"But if she didn’t have enough money, she wouldn’t have been able to purchase the remainder of what was required."

"By simply calculating the costs of everything that she needed, it seems the meat is the the only thing missing that makes sense, given Mai's recalling of what had happened is true of course.”

“Whatever!" Jessabelle interjects.

She attempts to incriminate me once more in front of the others.

"That still doesn’t explain anything about where the money for the meat would have gone!”

“Mai could still be lying regardless if she had still bought everything else!”

Staring desperately at Grunhilda, Jessabelle continues to plead her case.

Seemingly unconvinced about my innocence at Jessabelle’s remark, Grunhilda then crosses her arms, glaring at me and the blonde-haired girl.

“Not a problem."

"If we really need any more proof, we could just get the butcher's take on things, right?”

Jessabelle panics.

“Wait! There’s no need for that!”

I've never seen her panic like that before...

Then, the blonde-haired girl smirks and speaks triumphantly.

“You even confirmed with the butcher himself that Mai had bought and purchased the meat from him.”

She confidently walks over to Jessabelle who remains seated.

“Of course you also left out the part where Mai paid more money to the butcher because he was kind enough to try and give her extra!"

"But Mai isn't like that! Not wanting to take advantage of his kindness, she decided to be fair about it!"

"Now, if what you're saying is true and we ask the butcher himself about it..."

"But then he says something completely different than your story..."

"It's almost like you're calling the butcher a liar as well!”

"Because of what happened, Mai had to settle for lower quality ingredients just to make costs meet! If you start to think about the circumstances, then they start making a lot more sense!"

I’m impressed…

I wish I could stand up to Jessabelle like how this girl is…

"But since you're so confident that Mai is wrong, and that the butcher is also wrong..."

“If that’s the case, all we need to do is get his take on what happened, right?”

“Urgh…"

"You… stupid little…”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought."

"You already know what’ll happen if he gets involved, right?”

“So let’s just drop this."

"I’m tired of listening to you acting like you’re some kinda high-royalty and better than others, when you’re more of a spoiled brat than everyone else you judge.”

Having said what she wanted, the blonde-haired girl heads back to her place at the table and seats herself near me.

She looks back at me, letting out a chuckle.

Wow… She’s…

Amazing…

"W-Why did you stand up for me like that..?”

“But…"

“Um…"

"T-Thank you..."

BANG!!!! CRASH!!!!

Jessabelle explosively exits her seat as the sound of a chair scrapes roughly against the fine wood flooring.

In her wake, she leaves her dishes and kitchenware behind in an absolute mess.

The reverberation of angry stomping can be heard loud and clear as she makes her way upstairs.

In utter disbelief, I can’t help but react strong to how openly hostile Jessabelle is.

…

Thinking about what had just transpired, a voice replies to my lingering question from before.

There I see a confident girl with flaxen blonde-hair that glows like the radiant light of the sun.

Her green one-piece dress that matches her eyes depict the beauty of nature itself.

They burn with a fire that leaves me stunned into silence.

What I see next easily eclipses every thought and impression I've had of her thus far.

Her smile.

Only one word could describe how I feel while looking at her smile.

Hope.

“Heh! I don’t need a reason to help out someone who needs help, do I?”

“I can’t stand people like that girl!"

"She thinks she’s so much better than everyone, but you know what they say about shallow people…”

"W-Wow..."

With my mouth fully agape, I can’t help but be mesmerized by her sheer honesty.

“Pfft…"

"You’re staring at me again, you know?”

“O-Oh!"

"I didn’t mean to make you angry or anything!”

“No, no… It’s not like that!"

"It’s just funny, that’s all!"

"Hahaha!”

She extends a hand to me.

“Anyway, I’m Luna!"

"Nice to meet you, Mai!”

“…!”

I take a firm hold of her hand.

Is this...

What having a friend is like...?

Wanting to cry, I instead produce the happiest smile I could ever muster upon my face.

I don't think I've smiled like this since Father was still around.

“H-Hey…"

"..."

"Hey!”

"..."

"You’ve been holding onto my hand for like Ten whole seconds! Mind letting go?! It’s embarrassing!"

“Oh…”

Realizing that I’m still holding onto her hand, I then let go.

"...?"

But she continues to hold on, grasping my hand tighter than before.

Luna then proudly puffs up her chest and speaks.

"It's actually not a bad thing!"

"If you want to hold hands, then by all means!"

"Anyway, I hope we’ll be the best of friends, Mai!”

"...!"

From deep within my heart while holding her hand, I make a silent declaration.

One that I'll never break, so long as I live.

I’ll never let go.

Not ever.

“Yes! Me too...!”

“Luna!”

----------------------------------------