Standing outside the door into the girls' chamber, Gray heaved a long sigh. He knocked on the door. No one answered. Assuming that the girls were asleep, Gray entered the room. Just then, a white light beamed across Gray's neck as he jerked back before the blade could cut him. After this morning's encounter with that noble's son, Gray was already exhausted from the attempts on his life. Even though his eyes couldn't really see through the darkness illuminated by a few candle lanterns, he could still make out the figure of the person. Swiftly moving, he grabbed onto the wrist with his left, and put his foot behind the person's ankle and pushed the person down. However, Gray's hand cusped something soft around the person's chest as well as noticing on how small the person's wrist is. Sighing, he set his right palm on the wood and pushed himself up.

"You should know better than to swing around a blade," Gray said as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"And who the hell are you?" The woman hissed.

"Is that how you treat your savior?"

"Savior?" She gasped, "Alseif!"

She leaped up and embraced Gray tightly, as if this was their last meeting. Then again, it's been awhile since they met up in four years, although she has grown in a lot of places as well. Gray hesitated for a moment before returning her embrace. She let go after a couple seconds and blushed as she cleared her throat.

"Sorry, that was unprofessional of me."

Gray smiled, "No problem, but why would you swing a blade at someone who enters."

"Robin invented a code for use, so we know who it is. Three knocks for Robin and two for Robin's wife. If it's not the code, it's an intruder."

"Understood," Gray furrowed his brows, "But I don't recall Robin's wife, who is she?"

"It's Eliza."

Gray rubbed his forehead, "Eliza huh? If I recall Aria is the second oldest, so that means you are Aria."

Aria flushed red, "You remembered me."

Gray pretended not to notice, "But where's Rafaila, Faris, and Momo?"

Aria turned around, "Girls, you can come out now. It's a friend!"

The girls came out from the back and all of them beamed with excitement when they saw Gray. Momo, the youngest charged head first, slamming into Gray's chest bursting the air out of his lungs. Of course, Gray could've dodged, but dodging would've hurt Momo instead. Faris in turn dog piled Gray while laughing hysterically. Luckily for Gray, Rafaila stood back as the youngest two played around, seeming a little mature for her age. It took awhile, but Aria eventually calmed the other two children down.

"So how's it going for you girls," Gray said as Momo sat on his lap.

"We've finally adjusted to normal life again, but Momo still needs a bit more time."

Gray looked down at Momo as she played with her doll in silence. He nodded in agreement. "First time I saw you girls, your eyes were lifeless as if all of you have given up. Although I've never actually asked how old all of you girls are, so I just assumed Eliza was the oldest."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Fours years, huh?" Aria smiled sadly, "You came to visit Robin a couple times, but never came to say hello to us."

"I did not think it was necessary. Besides, I came for work."

"You didn't feel that it was necessary, but we did."

Gray sighed, "Either way, you wouldn't have needed me for anything."

Aria smiled sadly, "Let's talk about something else shall we?"

"Let's," Gray agreed.

Aria smiled, "It's actually kind of weird, but we know next to nothing about each other."

"I did not think it was necessary for us to know each other."

"If you're going to sleep here more often than usual, might as well get to know each other, right?"

Gray scratched his head, "I guess."

"Anyways, after you rescued us from that slaver, Robin gave us a shelter for the next couple of months until we made enough coins to live on our own. However, I guess we became permanent servers here since he enjoyed our company. Besides, Eliza would never allow us to go out on our own, so that added to Robin keeping us here."

"Do you girls trust him?" Robin asked as he played with Momo's hair. He noticed Rafaila and Faris playing a card game on the bed that they sat at. He took a glance at the game and smiled as he lifted Momo up and sat her next to him. He rubbed her head and turned back to Aria.

"We do..." she furrowed her brows."Why do you ask?"

"Nothing," Gray answered quickly. If these girls trust him, should he trust Robin as well? As long as he stays within the Inn, he should be safe due to Robin's golden rule. However, what happens when he walks out? What are the chances of the Raultivon soldiers barging into the Inn just to kill Gray? He could probably take down at least ten of them, but if assassins hid among them; it would greatly skew his chances of survival.

"Anyways, what have you been up to?" she asked.

"Has Momo regained her voice?"

"She can say a couple words here and there, but a full conversation at the moment is impossible," she sighed. "Why are you changing the subject?"

"Trust me, it's better it if you don't know about me."

"Actually, I do want to know."

"Can you stomach my experiences out in a world like this?" Gray shook his head, "I don't think so."

Enraged, Aria stood up as her face distorted into anger and confusion. Her hands clenched into a fist to the point where her knuckles turned white. However, Gray could understand her reaction to his response, so how could he ever explain to her the horrors that he has seen. Rather, he didn't want to relive his memories. Sometimes, maybe it's better to keep secrets hidden.

"I've been assaulted more than I could count by bastards that I never knew!" she roared, "I was a fucking object for over seven years and you think that I can't handle a little gore! I thought you were different! I guess I was wrong about you treating me like some kind of little girl!"

Gray bit his lower lips, "Please, don't push me."

"You-"

"Please..." Gray pleaded, "I don't want to experience it again."

Seeing the remorse on Aria's face made him feel a little guilty over what he said. Then again, maybe it was for the best for both of them if neither lived those horrendous experiences. Unfortunately, for the two of them, he experienced it firsthand. Humans are capable of more evil than a fiend is able to commit in a lifetime. Maybe humanity is indeed its own demise. Gray watched Aria sat down next to him again, and frowned.

"Sorry," she apologized.

Gray rubbed his forehead, "I should apologize as well."

The door opened and Robin entered with a frown on his face. Although he seemed to be in a good mood, but something about him irritated Gray. Robin seemed at peace, which rubbed him the wrong way. For a person that has information that could bring down a Kingdom making this kind of face disturbs Gray.

"You two need to cool down," Robin suggested. "Both of you are scaring the girls."

The two of them glanced at the girls and noticed how scared all them had been. Maybe Gray should practice his speech patterns more so that next time he wouldn't go through such an experience again. Then again, he's not the type of person to converse with others so easily. Gray sighed.

"Why the long sigh?" Robin asked.

"Nothing," Gray denied. "Anyways, I need to talk to you in private."

Robin nodded, "Follow me, we'll chat in my room."