Liora wriggled in Miss Sibylia’s arms, trying to free herself. “Please let me down, Miss Sibylia,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and concern.
Miss Sibylia, however, held her gently, her expression soft and full of genuine care. “Now, now, dear,” she said in a soothing tone, cradling Liora as if she were the most precious thing in the world. She walked with a steady, calm pace back to the door that led outside to the magical playground, where the other children’s laughter and joyful shouts filled the air.
As she pushed open the door, the vibrant colors of the playground contrasted sharply with the heavy thoughts swirling in Liora’s mind. Miss Sibylia stepped outside, the sunlight casting a warm glow over the scene, and then slowly set Liora down on the soft grass.
“There you go, sweet girl,” Miss Sibylia said, kneeling down to Liora’s level. She gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Liora’s face, her touch tender and comforting. “You mustn’t wander around the orphanage alone, my dear. There are so many things inside that could hurt a little girl like you. I just want to keep you safe.”
Liora looked up at her, seeing the sincere concern in Miss Sibylia’s eyes. It was clear that she truly cared about Liora’s well-being, and she spoke with the kind of warmth that made Liora feel almost guilty for doubting her. But even as she nodded in agreement, her mind was racing with questions and doubts.
Miss Sibylia smiled warmly, her face lighting up with relief. “That’s a good girl,” she said, giving Liora a gentle pat on the head before rising to her feet. “Now, why don’t you go play with the others? I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
As Miss Sibylia walked back toward the other children, who were blissfully unaware of any danger, Liora’s thoughts churned. She glanced around at the children playing happily, their laughter echoing through the air, and a realization slowly dawned on her. Could it be that all these children, so carefree and joyful, were once adults like Miss Elysia and her friends?
Her gaze shifted to Faylinn, who hovered nearby, her small form trembling with uncertainty. The little blue fox seemed just as confused as Liora, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and determination.
“We have to do something, Faylinn,” Liora whispered, her voice firm despite the turmoil inside her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong here. Miss Sibylia might truly care about them, but that didn’t change the fact that they couldn’t stay in this place forever. They had to find a way out, and they had to help everyone remember who they really were.
Liora hurried over to where Mister Cedric was still dozing under the tree. She knelt beside him, shaking his shoulder gently. “Wake up,” she urged, her voice laced with urgency.
Cedric stirred, slowly opening his eyes. “Do you need anything?” he asked, letting out a long yawn as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Liora hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, “Miss Sibylia turned you younger, Mister Cedric! You need to do something about it!”
But Cedric only looked at her with mild confusion, tilting his head slightly. “Why should I?” he asked, his voice calm and detached. “I like it here. I’ve been tired for so long… but I can’t even remember why. Here, I finally get to rest.”
He reached for a nearby book, flipping it open casually. “Do you want to join me?” he offered, clearly not interested in the urgency of Liora’s plea.
Faylinn, who had been hovering nearby, suddenly landed on Cedric’s head, letting out a concerned mew as she nibbled on his hair. Cedric frowned slightly, looking up at her. “What do you mean that it’s not right, Fay?” he asked, sounding more curious than alarmed.
Faylinn mewed again, more insistently this time. “We were going somewhere? I don’t know, but isn’t this place nice?” Cedric replied, his tone becoming more relaxed. “We get to enjoy ourselves, we have food, and Miss Sibylia takes good care of us. What more could you want?”
He opened the book and began reading, his attention completely diverted from Liora and Faylinn’s concerns. Liora watched in frustration as Cedric seemed to drift further into the comfort of the enchanted world around him.
“We can’t let this go on any longer,” Liora whispered to Faylinn, her small hands balling into fists. Faylinn, determined to snap Cedric out of his daze, summoned vines from the ground. The tendrils wrapped around Cedric’s legs, trying to pull him toward the door, but the vines were swiftly severed.
Miss Sibylia appeared almost out of nowhere, rushing to Cedric’s side. She gently freed him from the dirt and vines, brushing him off with tender care. Her eyes then turned toward Liora and Faylinn, a soft but firm expression on her face. “Now, now, you shouldn’t do things like this,” she chided gently. “We should all be nice to each other. No one likes a bully.”
Liora felt a surge of determination. She knew she couldn't give up, not when everything felt so wrong. As she looked around, her eyes caught sight of the dark blue lines that seemed to hover in the air, just like the ones she had seen at the arena. Maybe, just maybe, she could do something with them.
Taking a deep breath, she reached out and grabbed one of the lines, hoping that pulling it might make something happen. But as she tugged on it, nothing moved—nothing changed. Liora frowned in confusion. The line felt real, solid in her hand, but unlike the red one she had pulled before, this one wasn’t attached to anything tangible.
Undeterred, Liora gathered several lines into her hands, pulling them together as if she were holding a bundle of ropes. Faylinn hovered nearby, watching with a puzzled expression. The little blue fox let out a soft, questioning “Mew?” Clearly, she couldn’t see the lines that Liora was holding.
Liora bit her lip, thinking hard. Maybe the lines needed to be tied to something. She looked around, her gaze landing on the tree where Cedric was still sitting, absorbed in his book. Carefully, she wrapped the lines around the tree, weaving them together into one long, continuous thread.
Once the lines were secured, she took hold of the end and gave it a firm pull, half expecting the tree to move or something else to happen. But still, nothing. The tree remained rooted in place, and the lines in her hand didn’t seem to affect anything.
Frustration gnawed at her, but she didn’t want to give up. She glanced at Faylinn, who was hovering close, her expression mirroring Liora’s own confusion. “What am I doing wrong?” Liora whispered to herself, her grip on the lines tightening.
She needed to figure this out, to understand what these lines were and how they worked. Maybe she wasn’t strong enough to pull it? Liora wondered as she looked at Mister Cedric, who was still sitting calmly under the tree. Guilt tugged at her heart for what they had done to him earlier, and she knew she needed to make it right.
She leaned closer to Cedric, her small voice trembling with sincerity. “I’m sorry for what we did earlier, Mister Cedric. I didn’t mean to do it.”
Cedric nodded, his expression kind and forgiving. “It’s okay, Liora. I’m not mad at you.”
Feeling a bit more reassured, Liora raised her hand, showing him the blue line she had wrapped around it. “Look,” she said, hoping he might understand. But Cedric only looked at her in confusion.
“You want to play rock-paper-scissors?” he asked, his tone light and playful, clearly unaware of the lines she was holding.
Liora shook her head, trying to think of a way to explain. “No, I want to hold your hand. I want to give you a proper apology.”
Cedric blinked in surprise but then smiled gently. “Alright,” he said, reaching out his hand to her. As soon as his hand touched the line in her hand, his expression shifted. The playful light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a deep, profound sadness.
Liora watched, alarmed, as tears welled up in Cedric’s eyes. “Mister Cedric, what’s wrong?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Cedric’s tears began to fall freely as he spoke, his voice choked with emotion. “I’m so tired, Liora… so tired of all the traveling. I miss home, but I don’t even know if I have a home to miss. I feel like I’m always walking in a never-ending tunnel, never reaching the end. I feel… lost.”
Liora’s heart ached as she listened to him. She had never seen him like this before, so vulnerable and sad. She wanted to help him, to make the pain go away. Unsure of what to do, she slowly began to raise her hand, letting go of the line.
As soon as Cedric’s hand slipped from hers, his expression changed again. The sadness melted away, replaced by the calm, composed demeanor he usually wore. He blinked, as if coming out of a daze, and looked at her apologetically.
“I’m sorry, Liora,” Cedric said, wiping away the last of his tears. “I don’t know what came over me. You shouldn’t have had to see that.”
But Liora wasn’t thinking about the apology. An idea had clicked in her mind, a realization that the blue lines might be more than just strange threads in the air. Maybe they were meant to make people talk, or even make them cry. She didn’t fully understand it yet, but she knew she had stumbled upon something important—something that could help them all.
Liora walked around the area, her small hands reaching out to grab the blue lines floating in the air. She still didn’t fully understand their purpose or how to use them, but she had a feeling that gathering more of them could only help. The more she had, the better her chances of doing something important with them.
Curious, she decided to try something. She wrapped one of the lines around herself, wondering if it would have the same effect it had on Mister Cedric. But nothing happened. She felt the same as before, no sudden wave of emotion or tears. It seemed the lines only worked on others.
With determination in her eyes, Liora continued to gather the lines in her hands, weaving them together as best as she could. She didn’t know exactly what she needed to do, but she had a sense that this was important. Once she felt she had enough, she knew what her next step had to be.
She made her way toward Miss Sibylia, who was sitting quietly, watching the other children play at the massive treehouse. The woman noticed Liora approaching and smiled warmly at her.
“Do you need anything, dear?” Miss Sibylia asked gently, her eyes kind and inviting.
Liora split the lines in both her hands and, without saying a word, she walked up to Miss Sibylia and hugged her tightly. “Can I go to other places?” she asked innocently as she wrapped the lines around Miss Sibylia’s arm, hoping for the same reaction she had seen from Mister Cedric.
The effect was immediate. Miss Sibylia’s smile began to falter, and soon tears welled up in her eyes. Her composure broke, and she hugged Liora back with trembling arms.
Liora held on tightly, feeling a mixture of guilt and determination. “I want to visit some other places, Miss Sibylia,” she said softly, watching as the lines did their work.
Miss Sibylia’s tears began to flow freely, her voice trembling with raw emotion. “I can’t let you go, Liora… the world is too dangerous. I can’t risk losing you, not like… not like Sully.”
“Sully? Who’s Sully?” Liora asked, her curiosity piqued by the name.
Miss Sibylia’s grip on Liora tightened as she began to speak, her voice thick with grief. “Sully… my dear, sweet Sully… He was my son,” she began, her words laced with pain. “He was such a bright, curious boy. Always so full of life. One day, he was playing outside, just like the other children here. It was a beautiful day, and he wanted to explore, to see the world beyond our little village. I should have watched him more closely… I should have known better.”
Her voice cracked, and she took a shaky breath. “There was an accident… He… he wandered too far, and… and I wasn’t there to protect him. He lost his life that day, all because I let him go… I let him out of my sight.”
Tears streamed down Miss Sibylia’s face as she continued, “I swore after that day that I would never let anything bad happen to anyone under my care again. I created this place, this safe haven, where no child would ever be hurt, where they could stay forever, happy and protected. I can’t let you leave, Liora. I can’t bear the thought of losing another child.”
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Liora listened, her heart heavy with the weight of Miss Sibylia’s sorrow. She hadn’t expected such a heartbreaking story, and now she understood why Miss Sibylia was so determined to keep everyone here. But at the same time, Liora knew that they couldn’t stay in this place forever. There was a world outside, a world where they had promises to keep, people to find, and a journey that couldn’t end here.
She looked up at Miss Sibylia with wide, understanding eyes, knowing that the next steps would be difficult but necessary.
Liora looked up at Miss Sibylia, her small face full of concern as she held onto the older woman. She didn’t really understand everything that was happening, but she knew something wasn’t right, and she wanted to help.
“Miss Sibylia,” Liora began softly, her voice trembling a little, “I know you want to keep us safe, and I know you care about us a lot… but turning us into kids and making us stay here… it doesn’t feel right.”
Miss Sibylia’s tears flowed freely as she listened, her arms wrapped around Liora protectively, as if she was afraid to let her go.
“I know you don’t want anything bad to happen to us,” Liora continued, her voice earnest, “but if we stay here, we can’t do the things we’re supposed to do. My friends, they need to go on their adventures and do important things. I don’t really get everything, but I know Mister Cedric, Mister Magnus, and Mister Tristan—they have to do things that matter.”
She paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. “And I need to find my real parents someday. I promised I would. If we all stay here forever, we can’t do those things… and that’s not fair, is it?”
Miss Sibylia looked down at Liora, her heart aching as she heard the truth in the child’s words. The simplicity and honesty of Liora’s plea made it even harder for her to ignore what she had been trying to protect them from.
“I don’t want to make you sad, Miss Sibylia,” Liora added, her own eyes welling up with tears, “but I think maybe we’re supposed to grow up and do the things we’re meant to do, even if it’s scary. We can’t stay little kids forever, right?”
Miss Sibylia’s grip on Liora tightened, her emotions swirling inside her. She had created this place to keep them safe, to shield them from the dangers of the world.
Miss Sibylia held Liora tightly, her tears still streaming down her face. She tried to smile, but it was tinged with sorrow. "Oh, sweet girl, you don’t understand the dangers that are out there. The world is full of terrible things. If you go out there, you might get hurt, just like Sully did. I can’t let that happen to any of you. Not ever."
As Liora spoke, Faylinn fluttered closer, her tiny blue form hovering near Miss Sibylia. Even though she couldn’t speak, she seemed to sense the tension and sadness in the air. Faylinn nuzzled against Miss Sibylia’s cheek, her soft fur brushing gently against the woman’s tear-streaked face. Sibylia let out a small, surprised laugh through her tears, reaching up to stroke Faylinn's fur. The little fox’s warmth and affection brought a moment of comfort to Sibylia’s aching heart.
Liora looked up at Miss Sibylia, her small hands gripping the older woman’s sleeves. "But Miss Sibylia, I’ve seen scary things too," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I’ve seen big, scary places, like that manor where we got trapped. I’ve seen monsters in the arena. It was really, really scary."
Miss Sibylia shook her head gently, trying to soothe Liora with her words. "Those things… they’re too much for you to understand, Liora. You’re just a child. You shouldn’t have to face those horrors. Here, you can be safe. You don’t have to be afraid anymore."
"But I was afraid," Liora insisted, her voice growing stronger as she spoke. "I was so scared, but we all got through it together. We helped each other. And even though it was scary, we had to do it because it was important."
Miss Sibylia looked down at Liora, her heart aching at the child’s words. She wanted so desperately to protect them all, to keep them safe from the world’s dangers. Faylinn continued to cuddle against her, as if trying to reassure her, though she couldn’t fully understand the conversation. The little fox's presence seemed to add to the comfort, making Sibylia feel a little less alone in her sorrow.
"But what if something happens to you?" Sibylia whispered, her voice breaking. "What if I let you go and you never come back? I couldn’t live with that, Liora."
Liora shook her head, her eyes shining with determination. "But if we don’t go, we’ll never get to do the things we need to do. I promised I’d find my real parents someday. And Mister Cedric and the others—they have important things to do too. If we stay here forever, we’ll never get to do those things."
Miss Sibylia tried to dismiss her concerns again, her voice pleading. "But you’re just a little girl, Liora. You don’t know how dangerous the world can be. You shouldn’t have to face those things."
"I do know," Liora replied, her voice trembling but resolute. "I’ve seen it, Miss Sibylia. I’ve seen the scary things, and I know it’s dangerous. But we have to do it anyway. We can’t stay here forever, no matter how nice it is. We have to be who we’re meant to be."
Miss Sibylia’s heart broke as she listened to Liora’s words. She had tried so hard to protect them all, to keep them safe from the world’s cruelty, but in doing so, she had trapped them in a place where they could never truly grow. She looked down at Liora, seeing the determination in her eyes, and realized that she had been wrong.
"I’m so sorry, Liora," Miss Sibylia whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I didn’t mean to keep you from your path. I just… I didn’t want you to get hurt, like Sully did. I didn’t want to lose anyone else."
Liora hugged Miss Sibylia tightly, her small arms wrapping around the older woman. "It’s okay, Miss Sibylia," she said softly. "You were just trying to help. But we have to go. We have to do what we’re meant to do, even if it’s scary."
Miss Sibylia nodded, tears streaming down her face as she held Liora close. "You’re right," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I was wrong to keep you all here. I’m so sorry, Liora. You’ve been so brave, braver than I ever was."
The two of them sat there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, with Faylinn gently cuddling against them both. Miss Sibylia began to realize the gravity of her mistake. She had wanted to protect them, but in doing so, she had nearly taken away their chance to live their lives, to face their challenges, and to grow into who they were meant to be.
Miss Sibylia took a deep breath, her expression resolute as she stood up, still holding Liora's small hand. "Maybe it’s time I let go of it," she whispered to herself, her voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and relief.
Liora, still holding onto Sibylia’s sleeve, felt the blue lines connecting them, sensing the shift in Sibylia's emotions. The sadness that had weighed down Sibylia’s face seemed to lift, replaced by an understanding that softened her features into a gentle smile. She looked down at Liora, her eyes filled with a new sense of clarity.
With a soft sigh, Sibylia pulled out a small stick from her pocket and waved it in the air, murmuring words that Liora couldn’t understand. The stick glowed faintly, and as the words left her lips, the wonderland around them began to change.
The vibrant colors of the magical landscape started to fade, the large tree house and blooming flowers slowly dissolving into mist. The grassy fields and sparkling streams gradually transformed, their bright hues dulling into the greens and browns of a calm, natural forest. The cheerful sounds of children playing softened, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the gentle hum of nature.
Liora watched in awe as the world around her shifted, the enchanted playground fading away. The trees and flowers became more subdued, their shapes more familiar and less fantastical. The soft glow that had once bathed the entire area dimmed, leaving behind the serene, peaceful atmosphere of a real forest.
The transformation continued slowly, the wonderland retreating until it was entirely gone. In its place stood the large room inside the orphanage, the walls now visible where the enchanted landscape had once been. The vibrant dreamlike world had faded, leaving behind the reality of the orphanage, a place that felt both comforting and melancholic.
The children, who had been playing just moments ago, looked around in confusion as their magical playground disappeared. They gathered around Sibylia, their faces filled with uncertainty. Some of them seemed frightened, while others simply looked lost, unsure of what was happening.
Sibylia knelt down among them, her voice soothing as she spoke words of comfort. "It’s time to rest now," she said gently, waving her stick once more. A soft, white fog began to spread across the room, enveloping the children in a gentle embrace. One by one, they started to yawn, their eyelids growing heavy as the fog swirled around them.
Liora watched as the fog wrapped around the children, her heart aching as she realized what was happening. They were all falling asleep, lulled into a peaceful slumber by the fog. Sibylia continued to wave her stick, her voice calm and reassuring, as she guided each of the children into a deep, restful sleep.
As the last of the children drifted off, Liora turned to Sibylia, her eyes wide with both wonder and sadness. "What will happen to them?" she asked quietly.
Sibylia smiled softly, placing a gentle hand on Liora’s head. "They will wake up as they truly are, my dear," she said, her voice full of compassion. "It’s time for them to return to who they were meant to be."
With a final wave of her stick, the fog began to dissipate, revealing the scene that had taken its place. All around them, the children had transformed into adults, now lying peacefully on the floor where they had once played. Mister Cedric, Tristan, Magnus, and Miss Elysia were among them, their youthful forms replaced by the familiar faces Liora had always known.
Liora looked around, her heart heavy but relieved at the same time. The transformation was complete. The enchanted world was gone, and the truth of who they were had been restored.
Some of the adults began to stir, their faces reflecting confusion as they looked around the room, trying to piece together what had happened. Mister Tristan was among the first to wake up, blinking groggily as he took in his surroundings, his mind struggling to make sense of the situation.
Liora, her heart light with relief, dropped the blue lines she had been holding. They vanished as soon as they left her hands, fading into nothingness. Without hesitation, she rushed over to Tristan and wrapped her small arms around him, hugging him tightly. He was back to the man she knew, the older, protective figure who had been with her through so much.
Meanwhile, Faylinn fluttered over to Cedric, landing gently on his head. She nestled into his hair, waiting patiently for him to wake up, her tiny body warm against him.
Tristan, still groggy, looked down at Liora, his confusion evident. "What happened, Liora?" he asked, his voice tinged with bewilderment. "I feel like I slept too soundly last night, but... I don’t know why I woke up here."
Liora, with a playful smile, looked up at him. "You and everyone else had a little bit of a sleepwalking habit last night," she explained in her innocent way, her tone light but with a hint of mischief.
Tristan furrowed his brow, trying to understand what she meant. It didn’t fully make sense to him, but there was no sign of harm. "Sleepwalking, huh?" he muttered, still puzzled but relieved that, at least, nothing bad seemed to have happened.
As he looked around, his eyes fell on Sister Sibylia, who stood a short distance away, watching them. There was a somberness in her expression, a weight of sorrow that hadn’t been there the night before. Gently, Tristan lifted Liora into his arms and walked over to Sibylia.
"I don’t know what happened last night," Tristan said, his voice soft and apologetic. "But if I did anything while I was sleepwalking, I’m sorry." His words were sincere, though laced with the lingering confusion of the night’s events.
Sibylia shook her head, a sad smile on her face. "No, dear," she replied, her voice gentle. "It is I who should apologize." There was a depth of regret in her eyes, a burden she seemed to carry alone.
Tristan’s confusion deepened as he tried to recall the previous night. All he could remember was her warm hospitality and the food she had served them. Nothing about it warranted an apology from her, yet her sorrow seemed so genuine.
As the rest of the adults began to wake up, Liora climbed down from Tristan’s arms and approached Sibylia. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around the older woman in a comforting hug, sensing the sadness that still lingered in her heart.
Liora leaned in close to Miss Sibylia's ear, her small voice a gentle whisper. "You can still take care of many children, Miss Sibylia," she said, her words filled with innocent sincerity. "But just don’t turn any adults into them, okay? I’m sure the children will love you just the way you are."
Sibylia looked at Liora, her heart heavy with uncertainty. "I’m not sure, dear," she murmured, her voice tinged with doubt. "After what happened here, I don’t know if I can still protect them. What if something goes wrong again?"
Liora’s eyes sparkled with a wisdom beyond her years, though her words remained simple and childlike. "But Miss Sibylia, you don’t need to turn grown-ups into kids to protect them," she explained gently. "Keeping the real children safe from all the scary stuff out there. You know, like monsters and bad people, and all those things that make them scared or sad."
She paused for a moment, searching for the right words to help Sibylia understand. "You’re like… like a shield for their happiness, making sure they can keep smiling and having fun without worrying about the bad stuff. That's the guardian...of the dream, right? You’re already so good at it. You don’t need to do more than just be here and care for them."
Sibylia’s heart warmed at Liora’s innocent yet profound words. The weight on her heart lifted slightly, and a gentle smile spread across her face. Being consoled by a child wasn’t something she had expected, but it was a balm to her soul nonetheless. She lifted Liora up, holding her close for a moment before giving her a small, affectionate peck on the cheek. "Thank you, Liora," she whispered, her voice full of gratitude. "Thank you for helping me see the mistake I made."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Sibylia turned to face the rest of the group, her smile growing as she spoke. "Everyone, let’s enjoy lunch together," she announced, her tone bright and welcoming. The adults, still a bit dazed but relieved, began to follow her lead, moving towards the dining room. There was a sense of warmth and reconciliation in the air, a fresh start as they all walked together to share a meal, guided by the gentle and caring presence of Sister Sibylia.
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After the meal, the group busied themselves with preparations for their departure. Tristan made his rounds, checking on everything before they set off. “Alright, Magnus, is everything ready?” he asked, glancing over at the big man who was securing the last of their gear.
“Everything’s set,” Magnus replied, giving a firm nod. “The horses are healthy and ready to go.”
Tristan then turned his attention to Cedric, who was rummaging through the supplies in the wagon. “Cedric, what about the supplies?” he called out.
A thumbs up appeared from the wagon’s side as Cedric’s voice echoed back, “We’re all stocked up and good to go.”
“Okay, then we’re ready to go,” Tristan said, satisfied after giving everything a final once-over. Most of the adults who had stayed after the meal had already taken their leave, bidding quiet farewells as they drifted back to their daily lives. Tristan walked toward the kitchen, where Elysia was still busy.
“Elysia, are you done in there?” he asked, his voice gentle.
“Just need a few more seconds!” Elysia’s voice called back from inside the kitchen, the sounds of clinking dishes and soft footsteps accompanying her words.
Tristan turned to Miss Sibylia, who was sitting at the table with Liora. He approached them, his expression warm as he said, “Thank you for your hospitality, Sister Sibylia. We’re about to leave now.”
Miss Sibylia smiled up at him, her hand gently patting Liora’s head. “You’re welcome, Tristan. It was a pleasure having you all here,” she replied, her voice soft and kind. “I’ll be moving on to another place myself. I want to continue taking care of children, wherever that may be.”
Tristan nodded thoughtfully. “Eryndor would always welcome someone like you, Sister Sibylia. I’m sure the children there would love to be with someone as caring as you.”
Liora leaned in close, whispering into Miss Sibylia’s ear, “You can do it, Miss Sibylia.”
Miss Sibylia’s eyes softened as she looked at the little girl, nodding slowly. “Thank you, Liora. I’ll consider it,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. The bond between them was evident, a connection that had grown stronger through their shared experience.
Elysia emerged from the kitchen, carefully balancing a tray of steaming cups in her hands. The warm aroma of the drinks filled the air, drawing Tristan’s attention.
“Smells delicious,” Tristan remarked with a smile as he eyed the drinks. Elysia handed him one of the cups, her expression gentle.
“This one’s for you,” she said, offering it to him. She then passed two more cups to Liora and Miss Sibylia, before heading out to deliver the remaining drinks to Magnus and Cedric.
Liora accepted her cup with both hands, glancing up at Miss Sibylia. The older woman smiled at her, a tender look in her eyes. Liora hesitated for a moment, then threw her arms around Miss Sibylia in a tight hug.
“Thank you for everything, Miss Sibylia,” Liora whispered, her voice a little shaky.
Miss Sibylia’s embrace was warm and comforting. “You take care of yourself, little one,” she replied softly, her voice filled with a mixture of sadness and affection. “And remember, you’re always welcome wherever I am.”
Liora nodded against her, holding on for a moment longer before finally pulling away. Tristan reached down to take Liora’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He then took a sip from his cup, savoring the warmth that spread through him.
“Thank you, Miss Sibylia, for everything,” Tristan said, his voice filled with sincerity as they made their way to the wagon.
Once at the wagon, Tristan looked around at his companions, who were also enjoying their drinks. “Is everyone ready to leave?” he asked, his gaze sweeping over them.
They all nodded in response, determination in their eyes. Cedric, who was already seated at the front, took a moment to down the last of his drink before placing the cup aside. Faylinn, perched on his shoulder, let out a soft mew as she nuzzled against his neck. He reached up to pat her gently, but then suddenly grabbed his head, a look of discomfort crossing his face.
“Cedric, are you alright?” Magnus asked, concern evident in his voice.
Cedric nodded slowly, though his hand lingered on his forehead. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a headache, probably from everything that’s happened.”
Tristan gave him a concerned glance but decided not to press further. “In just a few more days, we’ll finally arrive at the port city,” he said, his voice steady. “And we’ll find out what happened there.”
With everyone settled, they climbed into the wagon and set off. Cedric took the reins, guiding the horses down the road. Faylinn remained on his shoulder, her presence a small comfort despite the lingering discomfort he felt. Liora sat in her spot, turning to wave back at Miss Sibylia. The orphanage grew smaller and smaller in the distance until it was just a speck on the horizon.
As they traveled down the road, Liora’s thoughts turned to Miss Sibylia. She hoped that everything would be okay for her and that the children she would care for in the future would be happy. Her thoughts then drifted to her own journey, filled with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. She wondered if her parents were somewhere in the port city, waiting for her. Maybe, just maybe, she would finally get to see what they looked like.